cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-ratio bandwidth reduction of video imagery for teleoperation

In an effort to remove the soldier, to the extent possible, from harm's way, some of the Army's future combat vehicles will be teleoperable. Video or forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensors will be mounted on the vehicle, and imagery of the surrounding scene will be transmitted to a control station by way of a radio frequency (RF) link. However, visual imagery is a large user of bandwidth, and bandwidth on the battlefield is very limited. Therefore, a means must be found of achieving a low-data-rate transmission. We have developed a system that accomplishes this by using two distinct techniques. First, a 25:1 bandwidth reduction ratio is achieved by compressing the transmitted image using a combination of the discrete cosine transform and Huffman encoding. Second, a 90:1 bandwidth reduction ratio is achieved by transmitting only one frame every 3 seconds rather than the usual 30 frames per second. The intervening 3 seconds are filled with 89 synthetically created frames (synthetic optic flow) which appear very much like those that would have been transmitted using full bandwidth transmission. The result of these two steps is an overall bandwidth reduction ratio of 25 X 90 equals 2250:1.
High-radix and bit recoding techniques for modular exponentiation

Algorithms that make use of high-radix and bit recoding techniques to perform modular exponentiation are proposed. It is shown that the high-radix methods with optimal choice of the radix provide significant reductions in the number of multiplications required for modular exponentiation. It is then shown that bit recoding techniques similar to those used in binary multiplication algorithms can be used to further reduce the total number of multiplications. The algorithms presented are analyzed by counting the maximum and the average number of multiplications required.
Strain accumulation across the Coast Ranges at the latitude of San Francisco, 1994–2000

[1] A 66-monument geodetic array spanning the Coast Ranges near San Francisco has been surveyed more than eight times by GPS between late 1993 and early 2001. The measured horizontal velocities of the monuments are well represented by uniform, right-lateral, simple shear parallel to N29°W. (The local strike of the San Andreas Fault is ∼N34°W.) The observed areal dilatation rate of 6.9 ± 10.0 nstrain yr−1 (quoted uncertainty is one standard deviation and extension is reckoned positive) is not significantly different from zero, which implies that the observed strain accumulation could be released by strike-slip faulting alone. Our results are consistent with the slip rates assigned by the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities [2003] to the principal faults (San Gregorio, San Andreas, Hayward-Rodgers Creek, Calaveras-Concord-Green Valley, and Greenville Faults) cutting across the GPS array. The vector sum of those slip rates is 39.8 ± 2.6 mm yr−1 N29.8°W ± 2.8°, whereas the motion across the GPS array (breadth 120 km) inferred from the uniform strain rate approximation is 38.7 ± 1.2 mm yr−1 N29.0°W ± 0.9° right-lateral shear and 0.4 ± 0.9 mm yr−1 N61°E ± 0.9° extension. We interpret the near coincidence of these rates and the absence of significant accumulation of areal dilatation to imply that right-lateral slip on the principal faults can release the accumulating strain; major strain release on reverse faults subparallel to the San Andreas Fault within the Coast Ranges is not required.
Monte Carlo evidence on the choice between sample selection and two-part models

Abstract This Monte Carlo study examines the relative performance of sample selection and two-part models for data with a cluster at zero. The data are drawn from a bivariate normal distribution with a positive correlation. The alternative estimators are examined in terms of means squared error, mean bias and pointwise bias. The sample selection estimators include LIML and FIML. The two-part estimators include a naive (the true specification, omitting the correlation coefficient) and a data-analytic (testimator) variant. In the absence of exclusion restrictions, the two-part models are no worse, and often appreciably better than selection models in terms of mean behavior, but can behave poorly for extreme values of the independent variable. LIML had the worst performance of all four models. Empirically, selection effects are difficult to distinguish from a non-linear (e.g., quadratic) response. With exclusion restrictions, simple selection models were significantly better behaved than a naive two-part model over subranges of the data, but were negligibly better than the data-analytic version.
Color Change in Upholstery-Weight Fabrics as Affected by Aftermarket Flame Retardant Finishes

This study was designed to investigate color changes in upholstery-weight fabrics following the custom commercial application of flame retardant finishes. The specific finishes studied were a saline solution and metallic salt-base solution. Fabrics tested were upholstery-weight cottons, linens, wools, and silks. Colorfastness was measured by the L*, a*, b* reflectance value of each of the 216 color change specimens using a Hunterlab D25-M Color Difference Meter. The average of the reflectance values was used as the base value from which delta Es were calculated. Analysis of variance and t-tests were used to determine significant effects. Results concerning L*, a*, b* and delta E values indicate that both the saline solution and metallic salt-base solution caused significant color change among most of the flame retardant treated test fabrics.
The Mathematics used in Connection with Physics

IT may seem ungracious for an author to reply to a review containing so many kind expressions as the one with which Prof. Ayrton has honoured my book on “Electricity and Magnetism” in your issue of November 18; nevertheless, I trust that you will permit me to make a few explanations and even corrections, if the word is permissible.
Interpreting Null Findings of Evaluative Studies

When an evaluator comes to interpret negative or null findings of a service program, he sometimes acts like a politician instead of a scientist. Far from dwelling in an ivory tower, an evaluator is surrounded by the hurly-burly of everyday life. Unless strucrural mechanisms are introduced to protect him, his judgment can be unduly swayed by nonscientific considerations. Six suggestions are offered that may grant him some needed protection.
Assessment of clinical competence of medical students by using standardized patients with musculoskeletal problems.

Objective. To assess medical students' clinical competence in addressing musculoskeletal problems. Methods. Nineteen junior medical students completed 2 standardized patient-based tests structured to capture their clinical decisions from undiagnosed chief complaint to management. Results. No student approached the highest possible score on either test, and the students as a group received less than half the possible points on 5 important aspects of diagnostic reasoning. Conclusion. Standardized patient-based tests can be structured to provide enlightening information about medical students' clinical competence with regard to musculoskeletal problems.
Architecture and control of a high current ion implanter system

(1979). Architecture and control of a high current ion implanter system. Radiation Effects: Vol. 44, No. 1-4, pp. 167-171.
HEPATIC FATTY CIRRHOSIS IN TEXAS WHITE-TAILED DEER

Hepatic fatty cirrhosis (HFC) has been known to occur in certain domestic livestock species since 1931. Early studies in Texas indicated that HFC was restricted to five western counties. Recently HFC was identified in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) in South Texas for the first time. Of the deer examined, 25% were affected. The etiology of HFC was not determined.
Multivariate visualization in observation-based testing

We explore the use of multivariate visualization techniques to support a new approach to test data selection, called observation-based testing. Applications of multivariate visualization are described, including: evaluating and improving synthetic tests; filtering regression test suites; filtering captured operational executions; comparing test suites; and assessing bug reports. These applications are illustrated by the use of correspondence analysis to analyze test inputs for the GNU GCC compiler.
Evaluation of the Equilibrium, Dynamic, and Hybrid Aerosol Modeling Approaches

The continued development of the dynamic and hybrid approaches (Pilinis et al. 2000; Capaldo et al. 2000) for the simulation of atmospheric aerosol dynamics is discussed in this paper. A linear interpolation method is proposed for the mapping of the moving aerosol size/composition distribution onto a fixed size grid. The 3 aerosol modules are incorporated into a trajectory model that includes descriptions of gas-phase chemistry, secondary organic aerosol formation, vertical dispersion, dry deposition, and emissions. The 3 approaches are evaluated against measurements from the Southern California Air Quality Study (SCAQS). All 3 models predict the 4-6 h averaged PM 2.5 (particulate matter with diameter h 2.5 microns) and PM 10 (particulate matter with diameter h 10 microns) mass concentrations of the major aerosol species with errors <30%. For the aerosol size/composition distribution, however, the dynamic and hybrid models show better agreement with measurements than the equilibrium model. The hybrid mode...
Overlapping but Distinct Gene Regulation Profiles by Glucocorticoids and Progestins in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Glucocorticoids and progestins bind to receptors that share many structural and functional similarities, including virtually identical DNA recognition specificity. Nonetheless, the two hormones mediate very distinct biological functions. For example, progestins are associated with the incidence and progression of breast cancer, whereas glucocorticoids are growth suppressive in mammary cancer cells. To understand the mechanisms that engender biological specificity, it is necessary to identify genes that are differentially regulated by the two receptors. Here we employ Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays to compare glucocorticoid- and progestin-regulated gene expression in a human breast cancer cell line. This global analysis reveals that the two hormones regulate overlapping but distinct sets of genes, including 31 genes that are differentially regulated. Surprisingly, the set of differentially regulated genes was almost as large as the set of genes regulated by both hormones. Examination of the set of differentially regulated genes suggests mechanisms behind the distinct growth effects of the two hormones in breast cancer. The differential regulation of four genes representing different regulatory patterns was confirmed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analyses. Treatment with cycloheximide or RU486 indicates that the regulation is a primary, receptor-mediated event. Detailed analyses of genes identified in these studies will furnish a mechanistic understanding of differential regulation by glucocorticoids and progestins.
Threats to the monkeys of The Gambia

There are five, perhaps only four, monkey species in The Gambia and all are under threat. The main problems are habitat destruction, hunting of crop raiders and illegal capture for medical research. The information presented here was collected during a long-term study from March 1978 to September 1983 on the socio-ecology of the red colobus monkey in the Abuko Nature Reserve. Further information was collected during brief periods between February 1985 and April 1989 on the presence of monkeys in the forest parks. It is not systematic nor extensive, but it indicates clearly that action is needed if monkeys are to remain as part of the country's wildlife. The most pressing need is for survey work to supply the information needed to work out a conservation plan.
A mixed‐effects quintile‐stratified propensity adjustment for effectiveness analyses of ordered categorical doses

Observational studies can be used to evaluate treatment effectiveness among patients with a broader range of illness severity than typically seen in randomized controlled clinical trials. However, there are several difficulties with observational evaluations including non-equivalent comparison groups, treatment doses and durations that vary widely, and, in longitudinal studies, multiple courses of treatment per subject. A mixed-effects approach to the propensity adjustment for non-equivalent comparison groups is described that can account for each of these perturbations. The strategy involves two stages. First, characteristics that distinguish among subjects who receive various levels of treatment are examined in a model of propensity for treatment intensity using mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression. Second, the propensity-stratified effectiveness of ordered categorical doses is compared in a mixed-effects grouped time survival model of time until recovery. The model is applied in a longitudinal, observational study of antidepressant effectiveness. Then a Monte Carlo simulation study indicates that the strategy has acceptable type I error rates and minimal bias in the estimates of treatment effectiveness. Statistical power exceeds 0.90 for an odds ratio of 1.5 with N = 250 and 500, and is acceptable for an odds ratio of 2.0 with N = 100. Nevertheless, with N = 100, the models that had high intraclass correlation coefficients had greater tendency towards non-convergence. This approach is a useful strategy for observational studies of treatment effectiveness. It is capable of adjusting for selection bias, incorporating multiple observations per subject, and comparing effectiveness of ordinal doses.
Adaptive estimation of aberration coefficients in adaptive optics

This paper considers the problem of wave-front diagnostics in image compensation adaptive optics. The wavefront distortions are estimated by use of either a Hartmann array or a shearing interferometer. Since the atmospheric turbulence is uncertain, an adaptive estimator is developed which will adapt upon both uncertain turbulence strength and uncertain turbulence bandwidth.
WINSLOW HOMER AND THE MECHANICS OF VISUAL DEADPAN

This essay argues for the central importance of the ‘gag’ to Winslow Homer's early paintings, made during the American Civil War. As his entree into the New York art world in these years Homer creates a form of visual deadpan that spoke to the ‘comical and coffinly’ circumstances of the war, resonated with the methods of the period's controversial platform comedians, and answered the critical call for a ‘higher sort of humor’ that moved beyond the antics of the antebellum comic mode of the 1850s.
Effect of a syndromic diagnosis on mandibular size and sagittal position in Robin sequence.

Purpose Despite its pathogenic heterogeneity, it is often assumed that the small mandible in a neonate with Robin sequence will not grow normally. The purpose of this study was to determine mandibular length and position in patients with nonsyndromic versus syndromic Robin sequence. Patients and Methods Lateral cephalograms of 51 children with Robin sequence were analyzed. Group I consisted of nonsyndromic (NS) subjects and group II consisted of subjects with the 4 most common syndromic (S) diagnoses. Cephalometric measurements included sella-nasion-A point (SNA), sella-nasion-B point (SNB), sella-nasion-pogonion (SNPg), articulare-gonion-pogonion (ArGoPg), temporomandibular joint-pogonion (TmPg), articulare-gonion (ArGo), and gonion-pogonion (GoPg). Differences between groups and subgroups were compared using t test. Results There were 26 NS patients (mean age, 6.8 yrs) and 25 S patients (mean age, 8.7 yrs); mean age was statistically different between groups ( P = .04); therefore, cephalometric measurements were compared with age-matched normal values. Syndromes included Stickler (n = 10), bilateral facial microsomia (n = 8), velocardiofacial (n = 4), and Treacher Collins (n = 3). SNA was statistically different from normal in both groups (NS, P = .017; S, P = .007); however, SNB was not different from normal for either group (NS, P = .175; S, P = .537). SNPg (0.007) was significantly greater than normal in NS ( P = .007) but not in S ( P = .702) patients. SNA, SNB, and SNPg were not significantly different between groups. In both groups, mandibular length was short ( P = .00), especially in S patients ( P = .049), mandibular body was small (NS, P = .00; S, P = .00), and the gonial angle more obtuse (NS, P = .006; S, P = .000) than normal. Ramus length was significantly shorter than normal only in S patients ( P = .019). Mandibular length (TmPg) was smaller than normal in all S subgroups but with wide variability. There were statistically significant differences among S subgroups with respect to mandibular sagittal position (SNB, P = .00; SNPg, P = .00) and mandibular length (TmPg, P = .008). There were no differences in S subgroups with respect to age, SNA, ArGo, GoPg, and ArGoPg. Conclusion Mandibular morphology and position are variable in Robin sequence, based on the presence and type of associated syndromic diagnosis.
Client-side data visualization

This paper proposes a toolkit with which a Web site can visualize eXtensible Markup Language (XML) data without using a server-side programming language. Further, the visualization element is provided as a Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) object so that the users of the toolkit can interact with the graphic component. The toolkit is implemented with JavaScript and Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT) and tested on Firefox Web browser. The use of open standard languages and tools makes this toolkit highly flexible, extensible, and independent from server-side development environment.
A comprehensive multiscale framework for simulating optogenetics in the heart

Optogenetics has emerged as an alternative method for electrical control of the heart, where illumination is used to elicit a bioelectric response in tissue modified to express photosensitive proteins (opsins). This technology promises to enable evocation of spatiotemporally precise responses in targeted cells or tissues, thus creating new possibilities for safe and effective therapeutic approaches to ameliorate cardiac function. Here we present a comprehensive framework for multiscale modelling of cardiac optogenetics, allowing both mechanistic examination of optical control and exploration of potential therapeutic applications. The framework incorporates accurate representations of opsin channel kinetics and delivery modes, spatial distribution of photosensitive cells, and tissue illumination constraints, making possible the prediction of emergent behaviour resulting from interactions at sub-organ scales. We apply this framework to explore how optogenetic delivery characteristics determine energy requirements for optical stimulation and to identify cardiac structures that are potential pacemaking targets with low optical excitation thresholds.
Presenilin endoproteolysis mediated by an aspartyl protease activity pharmacologically distinct from γ-secretase

Presenilin (PS)-dependent γ-secretase cleavage is the final proteolytic step in generating amyloid β protein (Aβ), a key peptide involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. PS undergoes endoproteolysis by an unidentified ‘presenilinase’ to generate the functional N-terminal and C-terminal fragment heterodimers (NTF/CTF) that may harbor the γ-secretase active site. To better understand the relationship between presenilinase and γ-secretase, we characterized the biochemical properties of presenilinase and compared them with those of γ-secretase. Similar to γ-secretase, presenilinase was most active at acidic pH 6.3. Aspartyl protease inhibitor pepstatin A blocked presenilinase activity with an IC50 of ∼ 1 µm. Difluoroketone aspartyl protease transition state analogue MW167 was relatively selective for presenilinase (IC50 < 1 µm) over γ-secretase (IC50−16 µm). Importantly, removing the transition state mimicking moiety simultaneously abolished both presenilinase and γ-secretase inhibition, suggesting that presenilinase, like γ-secretase, is an aspartyl protease. Interestingly, several of the most potent γ-secretase inhibitors (IC50 = 0.3 or 20 nm) failed to block presenilinase activity. Although de novo generation of PS1 fragments coincided with production of Aβin vitro, blocking presenilinase activity without reducing pre-existing fragment levels permitted normal de novo generation of Aβ and amyloid intracellular domain. Therefore, presenilinase has characteristics of an aspartyl protease, but this activity is distinct from γ-secretase.
Recent Observations of GRB-Supernovae

The GRB-SNe connection has been strengthened since 2008 by the detection of 6 additional GRB-SNe at both local and cosmological redshifts. This review summarizes the recent observations of SNe associated with GRBs 081007, 090618, 091127, 100316D, 101219B and 111211A, as well as the observations of SN 2008D, which was associated with a bright X-ray flash (XRF 080109) and may represent a link between “plain” SN and GRB-SNe. It is now clear that most – if not all – long-duration GRBs are produced by the core collapse of massive stars.
Body-Image Attitudes: Evaluation, Investment, and Affect:

The structure of the attitudinal body-image construct was examined by factor analysis of 11 body-image measures among 279 college women. Results support a distinction between evaluative or affective and cognitive-behavioral investment components. Multiple regression analysis further indicated that the optimal prediction of negative body-image affect requires both evaluative and investment aspects of body image.
First Steps toward Automatically Generating Bipedal Robotic Walking from Human Data

This paper presents the first steps toward automatically generating robotic walking from human walking data through the use of human-inspired control. By considering experimental human walking data, we discover that certain outputs of the human, computed from the kinematics, display the same “universal” behavior; moreover, these outputs can be described by a remarkably simple class of functions, termed canonical human walking functions, with a high degree of accuracy. Utilizing these functions, we consider a 2D bipedal robot with knees, and we construct a control law that drives the outputs of the robot to the outputs of the human. Explicit conditions are derived on the parameters of the canonical human walking functions that guarantee that the zero dynamics surface is partially invariant through impact, i.e., conditions that guarantee partial hybrid zero dynamics. These conditions therefore can be used as constraints in an optimization problem that minimizes the distance between the human data and the output of the robot. In addition, we demonstrate through simulation that these conditions automatically generate a stable periodic orbit for which the fixed point can be explicitly computed. Therefore, using only human data, we are able to automatically generate a stable walking gait for a bipedal robot which is as “human-like” as possible.
Basal autophagy maintains pancreatic acinar cell homeostasis and protein synthesis and prevents ER stress.

Pancreatic acinar cells possess very high protein synthetic rates as they need to produce and secrete large amounts of digestive enzymes. Acinar cell damage and dysfunction cause malnutrition and pancreatitis, and inflammation of the exocrine pancreas that promotes development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a deadly pancreatic neoplasm. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that maintain acinar cell function and whose dysregulation can lead to tissue damage and chronic pancreatitis are poorly understood. It was suggested that autophagy, the principal cellular degradative pathway, is impaired in pancreatitis, but it is unknown whether impaired autophagy is a cause or a consequence of pancreatitis. To address this question, we generated Atg7Δpan mice that lack the essential autophagy-related protein 7 (ATG7) in pancreatic epithelial cells. Atg7Δpan mice exhibit severe acinar cell degeneration, leading to pancreatic inflammation and extensive fibrosis. Whereas ATG7 loss leads to the expected decrease in autophagic flux, it also results in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, oxidative stress, activation of AMPK, and a marked decrease in protein synthetic capacity that is accompanied by loss of rough ER. Atg7Δpan mice also exhibit spontaneous activation of regenerative mechanisms that initiate acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), a process that replaces damaged acinar cells with duct-like structures.
E-046 Endovascular and microsurgical management of pericallosal aneurysms

Pericallosal aneurysms represent a relatively infrequent cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In the ISAT trial, there were 95 reported pericallosal aneurysms out of 2143 treated aneurysms, thus comprising 4.4% of aneurysms. While the ISAT broadly concluded that there was a benefit of treating ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms, studies comparing endovascular and microsurgical repair in anterior circulation aneurysms of a specific location are few. In this study, we reviewed the aneurysm databases from two institutions spanning 1999 to 2009, identifying 4456 aneurysms of which 88 were pericallosal aneurysms. Patients were classified according to presence or absence of SAH, presentation grade with Hunt and Hess scores and modified Fisher grade. Aneurysm size and method of treatment was recorded. Outcomes at latest possible follow-up date were recorded using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Recurrences were also noted. Statistical analysis of outcomes of aneurysm treatment were recorded comparing microsurgical and endovascular repair in both ruptured and unruptured populations. Intraprocedural rupture rates and outcome measures were compared, with craniotomy associated with greater probability of resulting in lower mRS in the acute setting (p=0.048).
Pressure perturbation calorimetry of lipoproteins reveals an endothermic transition without detectable volume changes. Implications for adsorption of apolipoprotein to a phospholipid surface.

Plasma lipoproteins are assemblies of lipids and apolipoproteins that mediate lipid transport and metabolism. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) remove excess cell cholesterol and provide protection a...
Development of microsatellite marker from cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Two methods of developing microsatellites from cultivated peanut were studied. In the tirst method, genomic DNA was converted to pre -- amplified AFLP DNA and enriched by magnetic beads coated with streptavi- din. The enriched DNA was cloned and sequenced. In the second method, the selective -- amplified AFLP DNA was used for enrichment and the specific bands were cut and sequenced. The results indicated that the first method was easier and more effective in isolating SSR than the second method, and it can be used for developing microsat- ellites from cultivated peanut.
Li-ion Battery Management System for Large-Scale Energy Storage

Li-ion battery has been widely used in high-voltage large-capacity energy storage because of its good performance.However,the capacity of single Li-ion battery is too large to produce high temperature during the charging and discharging process,which may induce unsafe factors,so the Li-ion battery management system must be designed to maintain the safety operation of battery and prolong its cycle life.According to the characteristics of Li-ion battery in energy storage system,this paper proposed a new hierarchical management strategy of Li-ion battery for energy storage system,discussed the structure and function of each layer,and emphatically introduced the main function of Li-ion battery management system,especially the data acquisition function of single cell,the state estimation function and the equilibrium management function.Moreover,their experiment strategies had verified by experiments.The experimental results show that the management system can meet the need of the energy storage system,and realize the state estimation function with high precision and efficient state estimation function for Li-ion battery.
The Curious Case of Non-Interactive Commitments.

It is well-known that one-way permutations (and even one-to-one one-way functions) imply the existence of non-interactive commitments. Furthermore the construction is black-box (i.e., the underlying one-way function is used as an oracle to implement the commitment scheme, and an adversary attacking the commitment scheme is used as an oracle in the proof of security). We rule out the possibility of black-box constructions of non-interactive commitments from general (possibly not one-to-one) one-way functions. As far as we know, this is the first result showing a natural cryptographic task that can be achieved in a black-box way from one-way permutations but not from one-way functions. We next extend our black-box separation to constructions of non-interactive commitments from a stronger notion of one-way functions, which we refer to as hitting one-way functions. Perhaps surprisingly, Barak, Ong, and Vadhan (Siam JoC ’07) showed that there does exist a non-black-box construction of non-interactive commitments from hitting one-way functions. As far as we know, this is the first result to establish a “separation” between the power of black-box and non-black-box use of a primitive to implement a natural cryptographic task. We finally show that unless the complexity class NP has program checkers, the above separations extend also to non-interactive instance-based commitments, and 3-message public-coin honest-verifier zero-knowledge protocols with O(log n)-bit verifier messages. The well-known classical zero-knowledge proofs for NP fall into this category.
Expanding queer reflexivity: The closet as a guiding metaphor for reflexive practice

In this article, I expand earlier work on queer reflexivity by positioning the ‘closet’ as a guiding metaphor for reflexive practice in field research. As such, I reconceptualize queer reflexivity ...
Dynamics and Bifurcations in Low-Dimensional Models of Intracranial Pressure

Intracranial Pressure (ICP) is a physiological parameter of the brain which plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies such as hydrocephalus and traumatic brain injury. Currently, all reliable methods for ICP monitoring involve drilling through the skull to place a pressure probe inside the brain. As a result, ICP is only measured in the most critical cases which require neurosurgical intervention. Mathematical models that relate ICP to physiological parameters whose measurements are minimally invasive could contribute to better diagnostic and treatment protocols for brain disorders. Ideally, such mathematical models should have the capability to predict ICP in real time from non-invasive measurements of other clinically relevant parameters without the need for high-risk procedures. In this paper, we examine in detail the dynamics and stability of a mathematical model proposed by Ursino and Lodi in (J Appl Physiol 82(4):1256–1269, 1997) which predicts ICP from measurements of arterial blood pressure. We study how the equilibria vary with the model parameters and, aided by numerical simulations, we obtain bifurcation diagrams for the system of non-linear ordinary differential equations. Expanding upon the work of Ursino and Lodi, we show that the model exhibits not only one Hopf bifurcation but also a reverse Hopf bifurcation in certain parameter regimes. In addition, we present global phase portraits of the system in interesting parameter configurations.
Single institution experience with the Ladd’s procedure in patients with heterotaxy and stage I palliated single-ventricle

Single institution experience with the Ladd’s procedure in patients with heterotaxy and stage I palliated single-ventricle
The Mind/Brain Problem

The “hard problem” of consciousness is addressed: How do we account for conscious experience in an objective physical world? Of the solutions essayed since antiquity, only “aspect dualism,” where “mental” and “physical” refer to subjective and objective perspectives on reality, is compatible with post-Newtonian science. The goal is to identify the physical substrate of experience, the “neural correlate of consciousness” (NCC). The received view, that conscious experience “emerges” from widely dispersed brain regions, is problematic. Therefore, an alternative is proposed: that multiple conscious experiences are present in the brain, each associated with its own individual neuron, and each comprising the entire experience usually assigned to the whole brain. How this proposal might mitigate the hard problem is the theme of this book.
JAK-STAT Signaling Jump Starts the Hair Cycle

Legrand et al show that JAK/STAT5 signaling in the dermal papilla is required for anagen onset in the murine hair cycle. Interestingly, others have shown that JAK-inhibition is able to induce telogen-to-anagen transition in wild-type mice. This apparent contradiction highlights the complexity of interactions within the hair follicle, and encourages further discussion on the role of JAK-STAT signaling in the various stem cell niches of the hair follicle.
Crime and the Czech Republic: Summary observations

Increased levels of street and organized crime activity have accompanied the transition from totalitarian rule to a freer political climate both in the Soviet Union and in its former east European satellites. A conference in the Czech Republic involving officials from the host country and visiting practitioners and academics largely from the United States considered methods for dealing with burgeoning crime issues. The article summarizes the tone and content of the discussions as well as the substantive issues addressed.
Treatment of Anxiety

There are many empirically supported treatment options for anxiety disorders in the literature; however, there has been a lack of options for the treatment of anxiety disorders among individuals with intellectual disabilities. This chapter reviews evidence-based treatment tools for anxiety for individuals with various levels of intellectual disability. Behavioral treatment components geared toward all severity levels are reviewed, including exposure and reinforcement techniques. Additionally, modified versions of cognitive behavioral treatment components are discussed for milder severity levels, which have been a growing part of the literature.
Beyond the Laboratory or Classroom: The Empirical Basis of Educational Policy

Publisher Summary The problem of school dropouts, the diagnosis, and the purportedly effective interventions is important in many countries. Randomized trials, when they are conducted well, produce statistically unbiased estimates of the relative effects of economic, medical, behavioral, and other social interventions. Nonetheless, some people declare that such trials are unnecessary because other methods can produce fair estimates of effect. Surveys and quasi-experiments can do as well. The counter-declaration is this: analyses of data from passive surveys or from administrative records or quasi-experiments cannot similarly assure unbiased estimates of the interventions' relative effects. We cannot ensure unbiased estimates. Aiming to make fair comparisons about what works in education is important. It is not easy to achieve this aim. Societal values attached to an interest in fair comparison may or may not agree with the scientific value attached to such a comparison. These societal values may in turn differ from human rights values, which have to be taken into account in any attempt to mount a fair trial. And, of course, political values may take precedence, and will at times, over the scientific values. Going beyond the laboratory to engage in place-randomized field trials is a way of taking direct responsibility for honest answers to some of these questions in education as in medicine, welfare, employment, and other sectors.
Legal Reimbursement Claims by ERISA Plan Fiduciaries

Consider the following scenario:' An individual takes a job and enrolls in his employer's employee healthcare benefit plan, which is regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act2 (ERISA). Like many such benefit plan agreements, this plan contains a reimbursement provision; the provision requires the employee to reimburse the benefit plan for any benefits paid to the employee for an injury caused by a third party in the event (and to the extent) that the employee is able to recover from the party at fault.3 While still covered by the plan, the employee has an accident caused by another party and suffers extensive injuries. The plan pays for the employee's medical expenses, but the employee also sues the party at fault. The court awards a judgment that exceeds the employee's medical expenses.4 The employee, however, refuses to reimburse the plan and spends the award money otherwise.
Shaped charge jets and subsonic free-surface flow theory

A shaped charge is a device consisting of a cylinder containing high explosive with a conical metal lined cavity as described in Figure 16.1.
Investigating isoindoline, tetrahydroisoquinoline, and tetrahydrobenzazepine scaffolds for their sigma receptor binding properties.

Abstract Substituted norbenzomorphans are known to display high affinity and selectivity for the two sigma receptor (σR) subtypes. In order to study the effects of simplifying the structures of these compounds, a scaffold hopping strategy was used to design several novel sets of substituted isoindolines, tetrahydroisoquinolines and tetrahydro-2-benzazepines. The binding affinities of these new compounds for the sigma 1 (σ1R) and sigma 2 (σ2R) receptors were determined, and some analogs were identified that exhibit high affinity (Ki ≤ 25 nM) and significant selectivity (>10-fold) for σ1R or σ2R. The preferred binding modes of selected compounds for the σ1R are predicted by modeling studies, and the nature of substituents on the aromatic ring and the nitrogen atom of the bicyclic skeleton appears to affect the preferred binding orientation of σ1R-preferring ligands.
Going beyond "we did everything we could".

It is the job of the physician to be an advocate for patients and to take responsibility for their care. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Examining Temporal Trends in Documentation of Pregnancy Intentions in Family Planning Health Centers Using Electronic Health Records.

Objectives Few studies have examined the extent to which providers assess pregnancy intentions during clinical encounters. Our objective was to assess temporal trends in documentation of patient pregnancy intentions in electronic health records (EHR). Methods In this retrospective observational study using EHR data from 627,399 female patients visiting 214 family planning centers in 2012–2014, we assessed changes in the prevalence of pregnancy intention documentation with piecewise log-binomial regression models. We examined bivariate associations between patient/visit characteristics and pregnancy intention documentation in each year, and associations between patients’ pregnancy intentions and contraceptive methods. Results The proportion of patients with a documented pregnancy intention increased sharply from the end of 2012 (42%) to the midpoint of 2013 (85%; adjusted quarterly prevalence ratio [APR] = 1.40, 95% CI 1.36–1.45). Thereafter, the rate of change slowed as documentation approached the maximum possible frequency (93%; APR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.02). Documentation varied by all patient/visit characteristics in 2012 and 2013; in 2014, there were no clinically significant differences. Among patients with a documented intention, 97% were not planning a pregnancy in the next year. Women not planning a pregnancy were more likely to use a most/moderately effective contraceptive method than those planning a pregnancy (73 vs. 35%, p < 0.0001). Conclusions for Practice Improvements in pregnancy intention documentation co-occurred with changes to EHR templates (e.g., placement of structured data fields) and with provider-focused initiatives promoting reproductive life planning. Patients’ pregnancy intentions aligned with contraceptive use; however, these findings cannot address whether assessment of intentions affects contraceptive use.
Professional network: How does it affect the odds of board membership for women?

Women in top management roles are still not a common occurrence. It is evident that social capital in the form of networks contributes to career development. Substituting professional colleagues fo...
Using Optimization Techniques and Multidisciplinary Collaboration to Solve a Challenging Real-World Residency Scheduling Problem

The authors consider the problem of assigning medical residents to shifts within a pediatric emergency department. They focus on both an integer programming formulation and an iterative, interactiv...
Investigation of Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Scan “Over-Range” Issue Using Machine Learning Methods

Low-dose computed tomography (CT) lung cancer screening is recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force for high lung cancer–risk populations. In this study, we investigated an important factor affecting the CT dose—the scan length, for this CT exam. A neural network model based on the “UNET” framework was established to segment the lung region in the CT scout images. It was trained initially with 247 chest X-ray images and then with 40 CT scout images. The mean Intersection over Union (IOU) and Dice coefficient were reported to be 0.954 and 0.976, respectively. Lung scan boundaries were determined from this segmentation and compared with the boundaries marked by an expert for 150 validation images, resulting an average 4.7% difference. Seven hundred seventy CT low-dose lung screening exams were retrospectively analyzed with the validated model. The average “desired” scan length was 252 mm with a standard deviation of 28 mm. The average “over-range” was 58.5 mm or 24%. The upper boundary (superior) on average had an “over-range” of 17 mm, and the lower boundary (inferior) on average had an “over-range” of 41 mm. Further analysis of this data showed that the extent of “over-range” was independent of acquisition date, acquisition time, acquisition station, and patient age, but dependent on technologist and patient weight. We concluded that this machine learning method could effectively support quality control on the scan length for CT low-dose screening scans, enabling the eliminations of unnecessary patient dose.
Polarization During Institutional Decline: Variation in Educational Attainment in Post-Soviet Central Asia in 1991–2006

This article investigates the contours of inequality in the context of institutional decline and polarization in educational attainment. Using household survey data collected in 2005–2006 by UNICEF...
Visual Loss and Dementia

A 75-year-old tenured college professor is brought in by his wife with a chief complaint of “inability to read.” The wife is already physically disabled and in a wheelchair and relies on her husband for many of her activities of daily living. He has been to five ophthalmologists already and been given a dozen pair of new glasses which the wife has brought to the doctor in a brown paper bag. She states that he used to do the checkbook for the household but now cannot seem to balance the account properly. He has gotten lost in the grocery store three times this year and she would not drive with him anymore because she states that “he can’t see the road signs.” The patient is well groomed, articulate, and soft spoken. He makes several substitution errors during conversation however but quickly corrects himself (e.g., he stated that he drove his car to the airport today when he meant to say that he drove to the office visit). His students have been complaining to the dean that he rambles in lecture and often seems disorganized in class but he has full tenure and is the Chair of his department so no one wants to tell him about his problems.
Toward an Interdisciplinary Learning Community of PBL Supervisors and Students

This commentary addresses the needs of students and staff seeking to manage the challenges of interdisciplinary problem-based learning, such as identifying and managing competing disciplinary epistemologies, intellectual and emotional uncertainty, expectations regarding staff expertise, and the role of curriculum and instruction in a PBL context. Applying basic knowledge of learning processes to these cognitive and contextual challenges could facilitate interdisciplinary learning and collaboration. Specifically, because disciplinary ways of thinking can both impede and facilitate interdisciplinarity, I argue that PBL staff should purposefully engage the knowledge and beliefs that students bring to PBL programs to help students recognize how their assumptions and arguments affect interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration. Additionally, students would benefit from a substantive orientation to diverse inquiry approaches at the beginning of their PBL experience. Building staff capacity to provide these learning experiences requires opportunities for supervisors to learn with and from their peers about one another’s disciplines and to share strategies for interacting with students whose diverse life and schooling experiences shape their expectations of courses, teachers, and learning. Students will benefit from intellectual engagement with PBL supervisors who model interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration, who are attentive to the assumptions (disciplinary and other) that shape their educational interactions, and who effectively scaffold the interdisciplinary learning experience.
Early Integration of Palliative Care in Families of Children with Single Ventricle Congenital Heart Defects: A Quality Improvement Project to Enhance Family Support.

Children with single ventricle congenital heart defects (SVCHD) experience a significant risk of early mortality throughout their lifespan, particularly during their first year of life. Due to the intense care needed for these children and families, pediatric palliative care (PPC) team consults should be routine; however, medical staff are often reluctant to broach the idea of PPC to families. The involvement of PPC for many carries with it an association to end-of-life (EOL) care. Setting the standard of PPC involvement from the time of admission for the first palliative surgery led to increased family support, decreased days to consult, improved acceptance and communication. The purpose of this article is to describe a quality improvement project of early integration of PPC with families of children with SVCHD. Lessons learned will be presented, including the resources needed and the barriers encountered in assimilating PPC into the standard of care for all patients with SVCHD. The single ventricle (SV) and PPC teams collaborated to enhance the support given to SV families. Education was initiated with cardiology and PPC providers to understand the goal of consistent PPC consults beginning after birth for patients with SVCHD. Parents were educated during fetal consultation regarding the involvement of the PPC team. The SV team ensured compliance with the PPC initiative by identifying eligible patients and requesting consult orders from the primary providers. PPC consultation increased significantly over the 40 month study period to nearly 100% compliance for children with SVCHD who are undergoing pre-Fontan surgery. In addition, mean days to consult decreased dramatically during the study to a current average of 3 days into the patient’s hospitalization; the data likely suggest that more PPC consults were routinely ordered versus urgently placed for unexpected complications. Data indicate that patients are being followed by the PPC team at an earlier age and stage in their SV journey which allows for more opportunity to provide meaningful support to these patients and families. The early involvement of the PPC team for children with SV physiology was operationally feasible and was accepted by families, thus allowing PPC providers to establish a therapeutic relationship early in the disease trajectory with the family. It allowed more continuity throughout the SV journey in a proactive fashion rather than a reactive manner.