cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Joint Optimization of Session Grouping and Relay Node Selection for Network-Coded Cooperative Communications

Network-coded cooperative communications (NC-CC) is a new paradigm for communications in wireless networks that employs network coding (NC) to improve the performance of CC. A key problem to harness the potential of NC-CC is how to put sessions into different groups, and assign a relay node for each group. In this paper, we study this joint grouping and relay node selection problem for NC-CC. We provide a formal proof of NP-hardness for this problem. Due to NP-hardness, we propose a distributed and online algorithm and show that it offers near-optimal solution to this problem. The key idea in this algorithm is to have each neighboring relay node of a new session calculate the best local group that it can offer and advertise this information; and then to have the source node of the new session select the best local group to join among all offers. We show that our distributed algorithm has polynomial time complexity. Using extensive numerical results, we show that our distributed algorithm adapts well to online network dynamics.
Single institutional experience using biological mesh for abdominal wall reconstruction

Abstract Background Complex ventral hernias remain a challenge. We present a study evaluating outcomes of complex ventral hernia repair using human-derived acellular dermal matrix (AlloDerm) and porcine-derived acellular dermal sheet (Permacol). Methods A retrospective review of 251 patients undergoing complex hernia repair was performed. Primary outcome was hernia recurrence; and secondary outcomes included early and late complications and mortality. Results Recurrence for Permacol versus AlloDerm was 32% versus 47% ( P = .02). There was a difference in early complications (48% vs 30%, P = .007) and also late complications (30% vs 21%, P = .16) of Permacol versus AlloDerm. Overall survival was 85% for the Permacol group versus 78% for the AlloDerm group ( P = .23). Recurrence for Permacol versus AlloDerm for underlay technique was 19% versus 22% and that for bridging technique was 44% versus 57%. Conclusion There exists a high complication rate from both Permacol and AlloDerm in complex ventral hernia repair especially when used as a fascial bridge.
A ‘granocentric’ model for random packing of jammed emulsions

The nature of the random assembly of granular particles is a fundamental and ancient problem in physics and mathematics, with practical applications in situations as different as oil extraction through porous rocks, grain storage and the manufacture of tablets from powders. To date there is no known simple underlying mechanism for granular particles analogous to crystalline ordering. A team from the Center for Soft Matter Research at New York University has measured the packing of polydisperse emulsion droplets, finding that the complexity of the global packing structure can be understood in terms of a 'granocentric' view. A statistical model based on two simple, local parameters — the available space around a particle and the ratio of contacts to neighbours — successfully predicts both the local and global characteristics of packings, including their connectivity and density. A simple underlying mechanism for the random assembly of granular particles, analogous to crystalline ordering, remains unknown. Here however, three-dimensional measurements of packings of polydisperse emulsion droplets are used to build a statistical model where the complexity of the global packing can be understood in terms of two simple, local parameters — the available space around a particle and the ratio of contacts to neighbours. Packing problems are ubiquitous1,2, ranging from oil extraction through porous rocks to grain storage in silos and the compaction of pharmaceutical powders into tablets. At a given density, particulate systems pack into a mechanically stable and amorphous jammed state3,4. Previous theoretical studies have explored a connection between this jammed state and the glass transition4,5,6,7,8, the thermodynamics of jamming9,10,11,12 and geometric modelling of random packings13,14,15. Nevertheless, a simple underlying mechanism for the random assembly of athermal particles, analogous to crystalline ordering, remains unknown. Here we use three-dimensional measurements of packings of polydisperse emulsion droplets to build a simple statistical model in which the complexity of the global packing is distilled into a local stochastic process. From the perspective of a single particle, the packing problem is reduced to the random formation of nearest neighbours, followed by a choice of contacts among them. The two key parameters in the model—the available space around a particle and the ratio of contacts to neighbours—are directly obtained from experiments. We demonstrate that this ‘granocentric’ view captures the properties of the polydisperse emulsion packing—ranging from the microscopic distributions of nearest neighbours and contacts, to local density fluctuations, to the global packing density. Application of our results to monodisperse and bidisperse systems produces quantitative agreement with previously measured trends in global density16. Our model therefore reveals a general principle of organization for random packing and may provide the foundations for a theory of jammed matter.
Mechanism of prejunctional muscarinic receptor-mediated inhibition of neurogenic vasodilation in cerebral arteries

Nitric oxide (NO) is a major transmitter in mediating cerebral neurogenic vasodilation in several species. Recent findings have suggested that acetylcholine, which is costored with NO in cerebral p...
Nonlinear interactive motion control techniques for virtual space navigation

Nonlinear motion control techniques that allow fast and intuitive control of the viewpoint as well as the hand position within a virtual workspace are presented. They allow users to quickly move in and out of the simulation box, and, at the same time, interact with the simulation using the hand device, no matter where the viewpoint is located. The principle is to divide the working range of a physical input device into several parts and use different mapping functions to map the parameters of the device into virtual space. Providing a consistent cognitive model and maintaining smooth transitions between subspaces are the basic requirements for this type of technique. The authors' proposed techniques are natural to users working with 3D input and output devices. They do not add additional time lags to many virtual reality applications that are already tied by system response time. The application of these nonlinear motion control techniques in the Cosmic Explorer, a virtual reality visualization system in cosmology, shows that users adapt to these techniques instantly and their responses are rather positive. >
Obtaining Parsimonious Hydraulic Conductivity Fields Using Head and Transport Observations: A Bayesian Geostatistical Parameter Estimation Approach

[1] Flow path delineation is a valuable tool for interpreting the subsurface hydrogeochemical environment. Different types of data, such as groundwater flow and transport, inform different aspects of hydrogeologic parameter values (hydraulic conductivity in this case) which, in turn, determine flow paths. This work combines flow and transport information to estimate a unified set of hydrogeologic parameters using the Bayesian geostatistical inverse approach. Parameter flexibility is allowed by using a highly parameterized approach with the level of complexity informed by the data. Despite the effort to adhere to the ideal of minimal a priori structure imposed on the problem, extreme contrasts in parameters can result in the need to censor correlation across hydrostratigraphic bounding surfaces. These partitions segregate parameters into facies associations. With an iterative approach in which partitions are based on inspection of initial estimates, flow path interpretation is progressively refined through the inclusion of more types of data. Head observations, stable oxygen isotopes (18O/16O ratios), and tritium are all used to progressively refine flow path delineation on an isthmus between two lakes in the Trout Lake watershed, northern Wisconsin, United States. Despite allowing significant parameter freedom by estimating many distributed parameter values, a smooth field is obtained.
Selective CGRP and adrenomedullin peptide binding by tethered RAMP-calcitonin receptor-like receptor extracellular domain fusion proteins

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and adrenomedullin (AM) are related peptides that are potent vasodilators. The CGRP and AM receptors are heteromeric protein complexes comprised of a shared calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) subunit and a variable receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) subunit. RAMP1 enables CGRP binding whereas RAMP2 confers AM specificity. How RAMPs determine peptide selectivity is unclear and the receptor stoichiometries are a topic of debate with evidence for 1:1, 2:2, and 2:1 CLR:RAMP stoichiometries. Here, we describe bacterial production of recombinant tethered RAMP-CLR extracellular domain (ECD) fusion proteins and biochemical characterization of their peptide binding properties. Tethering the two ECDs ensures complex stability and enforces defined stoichiometry. The RAMP1-CLR ECD fusion purified as a monomer, whereas the RAMP2-CLR ECD fusion purified as a dimer. Both proteins selectively bound their respective peptides with affinities in the low micromolar range. Truncated CGRP(27-37) and AM(37-52) fragments were identified as the minimal ECD complex binding regions. The CGRP C-terminal amide group contributed to, but was not required for, ECD binding, whereas the AM C-terminal amide group was essential for ECD binding. Alanine-scan experiments identified CGRP residues T30, V32, and F37 and AM residues P43, K46, I47, and Y52 as critical for ECD binding. Our results identify CGRP and AM determinants for receptor ECD complex binding and suggest that the CGRP receptor functions as a 1:1 heterodimer. In contrast, the AM receptor may function as a 2:2 dimer of heterodimers, although our results cannot rule out 2:1 or 1:1 stoichiometries.
Immunoproteasomes edit tumors, which then escapes immune recognition

In 1985, John Monaco--the discoverer of LMP-2 and -7, the inducible components of the immunoproteasome--asked his advanced immunology class as to why the MHC region contained not only structural genes, but several others as well, whose functions were then unknown. As we drew a blank, he quipped: perchance because many of the MHC genes are induced by IFN-γ! The ensuing three decades have witnessed the unveiling of the profound fundamental and clinical implications of that classroom tete-a-tete. Amongst its multitudinous effects, IFN-γ induces genes enhancing antigen processing and presentation to T cells; such as those encoding cellular proteases and activators of proteases. In this issue, Keller et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2015. 45: 3257-3268] demonstrate that the limited success of MART-1/Melan-A-targeted immunotherapy in melanoma patients could be due to inefficient MART-1(26-35) presentation, owing to the proteolytic activities of IFN-γ-inducible β2i/MECL-1, proteasome activator 28 (PA28), and endoplasmic reticulum-associated aminopeptidase-associated with antigen processing (ERAP). Specifically, whilst β2i and PA28 impede MART-1(26-35) liberation from its precursor protein, ERAP-1 degrades this epitope. Hence, critical to effective cancer immunotherapy is deep knowledge of T-cell-targeted tumor antigens and how cellular proteases generate protective epitope(s) from them, or destroy them.
Evidential Confirmation as Transformed Probability† : On The Duality of Priors and Updates

A considerable body of work in AI has been concerned with aggregating measures of confirmatory and disconfirmatory evidence for a common set of propositions. Claiming classical probability to be inadequate or inappropriate, several researchers have gone so far as to invent new formalisms and methods. We show how to represent two major such alternative approaches to evidential confirmation not only in terms of transformed (Bayesian) probability, but also in terms of each other. This unifies two of the leading approaches to confirmation theory, by showing that a revised MYCIN Certainty Factor method [12] is equivalent to a special case of Dempster-Shafer theory. It yields a well-understood axiomatic basis, i.e. conditional independence, to interpret previous work on quantitative confirmation theory. It substantially resolves the “take-them-or-leave-them” problem of priors: MYCIN had to leave them out, while PROSPECTOR had to have them in. It recasts some of confirmation theory's advantages in terms of the psychological accessibility of probabilistic information in different (transformed) formats. Finally, it helps to unify the representation of uncertain reasoning (see also [11]).
The State and Dependent Capitalism

The twentieth century appears to be the era of the state. In contemporary capitalist societies it is difficult to distinguish the private from the public sector because the state is so intimately bound up with the structures and processes of both production and consumption. In the context of dependency, this has taken common expression as a syndrome of state capitalism, one important feature of which is extensive state ownership and operation of productive enterprises in conformance with capitalist criteria. A comprehensive theoretical argument about this phenomenon, the entrepreneurial state in the context of modern dependency, is outlined and schematically represented.
Myeloablative Timed Sequential Busulfan Is Safe in Patients With Relapsed or High-Risk Multiple Myeloma

DARA IV weekly for 8 weeks, every other week for 16 weeks, and every four weeks thereafter, until disease progression. The primary endpoint for each study will be progression-free survival. An Independent Data Monitoring Committee will review the efficacy and safety data. Approximately 200 and 230 sites in 25 and 14 countries will participate in Alcyone and Maia, respectively. The first patients were enrolled in January 2015 in Alcyone and in March 2015 in Maia. Clinical trial information: NCT02195479 (Alcyone) and NCT02252172 (Maia). Editorial support was provided by Janssen Global Services, LLC
An oscillation of the respiratory control system accounts for most of the heart period variability of chronic heart failure patients.

A periodic breathing (PB) pattern is often observed in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients (pts). In order to clarify the role of this abnormal respiratory activity upon heart period variability we investigated, in a group of 20 stable CHF pts (NYHA class II to III, median EF 24%) showing a PB pattern, 1) whether observed data were consistent with the instability hypothesis of PB and 2) the relationship between oscillations of heart period and the contemporary fluctuations of ventilatory and chemoreceptor activity. Univariate and bivariate spectral analysis were performed on short-term resting recordings of instantaneous lung volume (ILV), instantaneous minute ventilation (IMV), heart period (HP) and arterial O2 saturation at the ear (SpO2). A very low frequency (VLF) oscillation around 0.02 Hz, associated with PB, was observed in all signals and contributed to 75% (23 divided by .99) (median (range)) of the HP variability. The coherence between ILV and HP was 0.77 (0.3 divided by 0.95) and between SpO2 and HP 0.8 (0.4 divided by 0.98. A high coherence was also found between IMV and SpO2: 0.9 (0.6 divided by 0.98). The median phase lag between IMB and SpO2 was -211 degrees (-240 divided by -156), between ILV and HP -205 degrees (-260 divided by -180) and between SpO2 and HP 0 degree (-26 divided by 30). The estimated lung-to-ear circulation time was 24.5 s (12.5 divided by 36.5). This study definitely confirms that during PB a common rhythm is shared between the respiratory and cardiovascular regulatory system Taking into account the error introduced by the measuring process, our results, are consistent with the hypothesis that periodic breathing of CHF pts originates from an instability of the feedback control system of ventilation. Hence most of the HP variability of these pts simply reflects abnormal pattern of respiratory activity.
Modification of colorimetric method for determination of mannitol and sorbitol in plasma and urine.

SummaryA simple and accurate procedure for the determination of mannitol and sorbitol based on the method of Corcoran and Page has been described.
Crossed molecular beams studies of phenyl radical reactions with propene and trans-2-butene.

The reactions of phenyl radicals with propene have been studied at collision energies of 84 and 108 kJ/mol using the crossed molecular beams technique. The branching ratios between methyl radical e...
Common variable immunodeficiency associated with microdeletion of chromosome 1q42.1-q42.3 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate kinase B (ITPKB) deficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogenous disorder characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and impaired specific antibody response and increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmunity and malignancies. A number of gene mutations, including ICOS, TACI and BAFF-R, and CD19, CD20, CD21, CD81, MSH5 and LRBA have been described; however, they account for approximately 20–25% of total cases of CVID. In this study, we report a patient with CVID with an intrinsic microdeletion of chromosome 1q42.1-42.3, where gene for inositol 1,3,4, trisphosphate kinase β (ITPKB) is localized. ITPKB has an important role in the development, survival and function of B cells. In this subject, the expression of ITPKB mRNA as well as ITKPB protein was significantly reduced. The sequencing of ITPKB gene revealed three variants, two of them were missense variants and third was a synonymous variant; the significance of each of them in relation to CVID is discussed. This case suggests that a deficiency of ITPKB may have a role in CVID.
Redesigning a Core Function of Schools: A Systemic, Evidence-Based Approach to Student Support

The authors of this chapter describe the development, operation, and achievements of a unique approach to student support developed in Boston, Massachusetts and called City Connects. Significantly, City Connects emerged from the lead author’s prior experience with community schools. The chapter author-leaders describe how they designed a systemic intervention to deliver services and enrichment opportunities to every student in the school. Their developmental journey is instructive in several important ways, starting with the time, resources, and investments needed to tailor services for each individual student. This Connect Connects journey is also instructive due to: (1) Leaders’ reliance on best practice research from start to finish; (2) Leaders’ commitments to evaluation-driven learning, knowledge generation, and continuous quality improvement; (3) Leaders’ attention to the unique, important characteristics of particular schools at the same time that they emphasized an overall coherent design for City Connects; and (4) The special contributions of local higher education faculty and students to this new design, together with the benefits they have reaped. Importantly, these leader-authors make it clear that, while their work has advanced to a significant stage, they are not done. Like the other exemplars featured in this book, City Connects is an important, still-evolving experiment that demonstrates all that can be done and achieved when leaders prioritize needs assessments, systematic planning, and research-supported interventions, and proceed carefully with implementation.
Mutant and Transgenic Zebrafish in Modeling Neurobehavioral Disorders

Zebrafish have traditionally been used as effective genetic and developmental models in biomedical research. Recently, the scope and utility of zebrafish in biomedical research has been further expanded with the implementation of new genetic techniques aimed at developing translational models of human pathogenesis. Additionally, screens measuring specific neurobehavioral and developmental phenotypes have proven to be very robust. This chapter further discusses the utility of zebrafish in biomedical research and highlights some of the genetic techniques used in the creation of transgenic and mutant strains. Behavioral phenotypes of genetically altered zebrafish are also discussed with respect to both their robust stress responses and similarity to human disorders. Specific emphasis is placed on human brain pathogenesis and neurodevelopmental abnormalities, especially as they relate to stress and anxiety spectrum disorders.
Water for everyday use

Domestic water supply, or the obtaining of water reliable enough in quantity and tolerable enough in quality to satisfy the drinking, cooking, and washing needs of a household community, is always a pressing problem. Lugubrious Old Testament prophets knew the sense of hopelessness which gripped Mediterranean people, even privileged folk, when their customary sources of water ran dry. In early medieval Italy those deprived of a supply of water for their domestic needs felt as disheartened as people always have in such circumstances. Solutions to the problem of domestic water procurement were various. In a Virgilian mood, the Lombard historian Paul the Deacon presented the inhabitants of Italy's cities as the drinkers of various rivers: the riverine water people drank established their identity. Certainly rivers, brooks, and other natural water courses provided many early medieval households with their water, perhaps more so in rural districts, where these resources were more accessible and “purer” than in cities. Yet mention of these water sources appears surprisingly little in the documents, and when natural sources do appear circumstances are exceptional. We may observe people turning to streams and similar natural sources primarily in emergencies, such as during wars, when normal supplies had been subverted. In the surviving record even natural springs, whose “purity” was less questionable than rivers into which sewage flushed, are not often approached by people, though they presumably were frequented and used for specific purposes, like washing clothes.
Temperature dependence of the crystal structure and g-values of [(HC(Ph2PO)3)2Cu](ClO4)2.2H2O: influence of dynamic Jahn-Teller coupling and lattice strain interactions.

The temperature dependence of the X-ray crystal structure and powder EPR spectrum of [(HC(Ph2PO)(3))(2)CU]-(ClO4)(2)center dot 2H(2)O is reported, and the structure at room temperature confirms that reported previously. Below similar to 100 K, the data imply a geometry with near elongated tetragonal symmetry for the [(HC(Ph2PO)(3))(2)Cu](2+) complex, but on warming the two higher Cu-O bond lengths and g-values progressively converge, and by 340 K the bond lengths correspond to a compressed tetragonal geometry. The data may be interpreted satisfactorily assuming an equilibrium among the energy levels of a Cu-O-6 polyhedron subjected to Jahn-Teller vibronic coupling and a lattice strain. However, agreement with the experiment is obtained only if the orthorhombic component of the lattice strain decreases to a negligible value as the temperature approaches 340 K.
Endovascular Management of May–Thurner Syndrome in Adolescents: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract Purpose To report a single-center experience in regard to the technique, safety, and clinical outcomes of endovascular therapy for treatment of May–Thurner syndrome (MTS) in adolescent patients. Materials and Methods A retrospective review identified 10 patients (6 female; mean age, 16 y; range, 12–18 y; mean weight, 73 kg; range, 50–116 kg) treated by endovascular therapy for MTS from 1998 to 2015. Clinical presentations consisted of acute thrombotic MTS (n = 6) and nonthrombotic MTS (n = 4). Catheter‐directed thrombolysis was performed in all cases of thrombosis. Venoplasty and stent placement were performed in all cases. Self-expanding stents 12–16 mm in diameter and 4–9 cm in length were deployed. Results No major periprocedural complications were observed. Median follow-up was 32 months (range, 6–109 mo). Primary and secondary patency rates were 79% and 100% at 12 months and 79% and 89% at 36 months, respectively. In a single patient with permanent loss of flow in the treated segment, multiple risk factors for thrombosis were identified. Rates of posttreatment symptoms were 0% by Villalta score and 60% (n = 6; mild symptoms) by modified Villalta score at the last clinical follow-up. Conclusions Endovascular therapy for the treatment of MTS in our adolescent cohort was safe and effective in relieving venous obstruction. Stent placement in patients with underlying thrombophilic disorders is associated with loss of secondary patency, suggesting the need for further consideration in this population.
Redirection of Antigen-Specific T Cells to Tumor Cells Using Nanoparticle-Based Antigen-Specific Redirectors (ATRs)

Abstract Immunotherapy is the modulation of a patient’s immune system to treat illness. Unfortunately many T cell based attempts have failed due to the fact that existing tumor-specific T cells are mostly anergic or tolerized and ex vivo generated T cells are often already of exhausted phenotype. Therefore, investigators have developed alternative approaches including bispecific antibody technology to redirect fully functional non-tumor specific T cells to the tumor. This has been primarily accomplished through targeting CD3 which is expressed on all T cells to engage and redirect them towards a molecule that is expressed on the tumor cells. Here we present a novel nanoparticle based approach to selectively target cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and re-direct them to kill tumors, termed ATR (Antigen-specific T cell Redirectors). ATR were generated by coupling either MHC-Ig dimer or clonotypic anti-TCR antibody 1B2 to target the effector T cell population and an anti-CD19 to re-direct those to CD19+ tumor target cells onto 50-100nm nanoparticles. Flow cytometry and microscope based data confirm that the described ATR phenotype efficiently and stably stain tumor and T cells in a dose dependent manner and ATR mediate antigen-specific conjugate formation of effector T cells and tumor target cells. We further developed two clinically relevant protocols to test and optimize our ATR in vitro. First a pre-treatment approach in which the effector T cells are pre-incubated with ATR mimicking an adoptive transfer approach and second a co-culture protocol that mimics an active immunotherapy approach of direct ATR injection. Antigen-specific ATR mediated re-direction of T cells to tumor target cells was demonstrated in 51Cr-release killing assays at low E:T ratios. Variation of ATR target-cell : effector-cell targeting molecule ratio could further increase efficacy. Finally, intra tumoral ATR injection induced T cell re-direction and reduced tumor growth in a s.c. Raji/SCIDbeige treatment model. In summary this data demonstrates that ATR target and redirect antigen-specific CTL to tumor cells that would otherwise not be recognized and mediates their lysis. ATR can be used to develop new innovative immunotherapeutic approaches for all cancers that can be targeted with antibodies or antibody-like molecules. Furthermore, ATR could also be used in conjunction with virus-specific immunization to specifically increase the targeted CTL population. Ultimately, we expect ATR and their potential for clinical applications to increase our understanding of tumor immunotherapy through T cell redirection. Disclosures Oelke: NextImmune: Equity Ownership. Schneck: NextImmune: Equity Ownership.
Duplex Evaluation After Renal Artery Intervention

Duplex sonography to detect hemodynamically significant renal artery stenosis and renal artery occlusion has evolved as the screening test of choice for main renal artery disease. In addition, renal duplex sonography is a valuable intraoperative study to confirm the technical success of open renal artery repair and useful to establish the hemodynamic result after percutaneous intervention. Finally, renal duplex is a valuable follow-up surveillance technique to evaluate both open operative repair and percutaneous intervention, with or without stenting. This chapter will summarize these applications and the anticipated results of each.
Topological valleytronics: Brought to light

The topological valley Hall effect was predicted as a consequence of the bulk topology of electronic systems. Now it has been observed in photonic crystals, showing that both topology and valley are innate to classical as well as quantum systems.
Reinforcement selection for deep and high-stress tunnels at preliminary design stages using ground demand and support capacity approach

Abstract Underground mining is going to be deeper gradually because near surface resources are going to be depleted. Therefore, risk of seismic events in underground mines is escalating. Additionally, existence of the large ratio of horizontal to vertical stress, could be a potential reason for high-stress condition and occurrence of dynamic activities. Depending on various parameters such as the level of induced stress, rock properties, etc., ground demand changes and it is difficult to estimate. On the other hand, under seismic condition, energy dissipation and deformation capacity of supports is the most important factors, however, rock support performance factors in dynamic conditions are still under investigation. Expanding the knowledge of reinforcement behaviour and capacity, specifically that of the rockbolt as a primary element in seismic conditions, would help to develop a suitable, safe and economic support design. This paper contains various methods to estimate ground demand including the intact rock properties approach, failure thickness and ejection velocity estimation, and rockburst damage potential method. It also covers measurement methods of rockbolts energy dissipation capacities such as drop test, blasting simulating, back calculation and momentum transfer measurement methods. A large-scale dynamic test rig is also explained. Based on the findings, a table and a graph to show the applicable range of each type of rockbolts were presented. Suitable rockbolt types for various ground energy demand and deformation capacity range were categorised in the table and the graph. The presented support selection method facilitates the selection of a suitable reinforcement system at the preliminary stages of design and guides the designer to adjust the support reinforcement system based on observed ground and support reaction.
Sputnik, Slime Molds, and Botticelli in the Making of a Physician-Scientist

Establishing a clear chain of cause and effect in any person’s life is an inherently uncertain business, but I can say with some confidence that my career as a physician-scientist had its origins on my ninth birthday on October 4, 1957, when Sputnik (Fig. 7.1) was launched into orbit by the Soviet Union. I recall noting the event itself with some fascination, but it was the response of our public education system to the “missile gap” [1] perceived by US policy-makers that really had a formative effect, because, for the next few years at least, my classrooms became filled with a wondrous array of materials for learning science. More important still, and in contrast to the American cultural milieu of more recent decades, being good at science in the 1950s and 1960s was perceived by me and many of my contemporaries as a pretty cool thing to do.
Execution monitoring with quantitative temporal Bayesian networks

The goal of execution monitoring is to determine whether a system or person is following a plan appropriately. Monitoring information may be uncertain, and the plan being monitored may have complex temporal constraints. We develop a new framework for reasoning under uncertainty with quantitative temporal constraints - Quantitative Temporal Bayesian Networks - and we discuss its application to plan-execution monitoring. QTBNs extend the major previous approaches to temporal reasoning under uncertainty: Time Nets (Kanazawa 1991), Dynamic Bayesian Networks and Dynamic Object Oriented Bayesian Networks (Friedman, Koller, & Pfeffer 1998). We argue that Time Nets can model quantitative temporal relationships but cannot easily model the changing values of fluents, while DBNs and DOOBNs naturally model fluents, but not quantitative temporal relationships. Both capabilities are required for execution monitoring, and are supported by QTBNs.
Von Hippel–Lindau Syndrome: Gastrointestinal Features

Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. It is characterized by hemangioblastomas in the cerebellum, spinal cord, kidneys, and retinas, and results from a mutation in a tumor suppressor gene.
Reframing the Concept of Cultural Competence to Enhance Delivery of Behavioral Health Services to Culturally Diverse Populations

This chapter presents a practical framework for making behavioral health services and supports accessible and appropriate for culturally diverse populations. It begins with an overview of important concepts, particularly behavioral health disparities and health equity, which have shaped research and practice efforts aimed at ensuring that all people receive the services and supports they need. It follows with an examination of “cultural competence” as a concept and how it has evolved. An implementation-based conceptual model is also presented, which operationalizes cultural competence from an organizational perspective and discusses issues with regard to its implementation in service delivery settings, as well as implications for future research and practice.
System Integrity Protection Schems for Future Power Transmission System Using Synchrophasors

The standard of living is in a direct connection to the availability and quality of the energy delivered, and therefore the electric power system presents the backbone for the development of a modern human society. While balancing between the economical and environmental issues, the transmission system operators are coping to maintain the power system stability and integrity. Furthermore, emerging trends such as the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, electro mobility and the establishing of energy market introduce additional uncertainties and make the power system operation even more complex. However, there has been a shift of attention and funding towards the development and deployment of technologies which would enable the evolutionary transfer of the existing power system control towards the automated control or System Integrity Protection Schemes (SIPS). The synchronized measurement technology (SMT) has already been recognized as one of the key drivers in the building of modern power systems. Wide Area Monitoring, Protection And Control (WAMPAC) is backbone of System Integrity Protection Schemes (SIPS). The issue of this paper is to provide a wide overview of structure and applications of WAMPAC system that serves as SIPS in order to automatically monitor, protect and control transmission power systems during normal and especially disturbed operating conditions.
Gait Guidance Control for Damping of Unnatural Motion in a Powered Pediatric Lower-Limb Orthosis

The nominal gait of each individual is unique and varies with the walking speed of the person. This poses a difficult problem for powered rehabilitative orthoses since control strategies often require a reference trajectory and give little control to the patient. This paper describes a simple control approach which applies torque resistive to joint movement that is unnatural for healthy individuals in the hip and knee joints during the swing phase of gait. The controller uses a configuration-dependent orthonormal basis to represent vectors in terms of components which are tangent and normal to healthy gait patterns for a continuum of gait speeds. The controller damps motion in the normal direction, thereby resisting movement which is unnatural for healthy individuals. With this control law, subjects are not restricted to a particular reference trajectory and have a large degree of volition over spatiotemporal gait parameters (e.g., stride length, swing time, and cadence). Experiments are conducted to check the feasibility of the control law in a provisional powered pediatric lower-limb orthosis. The gait guidance controller is used in conjunction with a human controller representing an individual with gait impairment. The main results compare gait shape quality when the gait guidance controller is enabled versus disabled, and show how the gait guidance controller is able to reshape gait to more closely resemble that of a healthy individual for various cadences.
Advances in Financial Machine Learning: Lecture 4/10 (seminar slides)

Machine learning (ML) is changing virtually every aspect of our lives. Today ML algorithms accomplish tasks that until recently only expert humans could perform. As it relates to finance, this is the most exciting time to adopt a disruptive technology that will transform how everyone invests for generations. In this course, we discuss scientifically sound ML tools that have been successfully applied to the management of large pools of funds.
Partially ordered data sets and a new efficient method for calculating multivariate conditional value-at-risk

Recent studies in Lee and Prekopa (Oper Res Lett 45:19–24, 2017) and Lee (Oper Res Lett 45:1204–1220, 2017) showed that a union of partially ordered orthants in $$R^n$$ can be decomposed only into the largest and the second largest chains. This allows us to calculate the probability of the union of such events in a recursive manner. If the vertices of such orthants designate p-level efficient points, i.e., the multivariate quantile or the multivariate value-at-risk (MVaR) in $$R^n$$ , then the number of them, say N, is typically very large, which makes it almost impossible to calculate the multivariate conditional value-at-risk (MCVaR) introduced by Prekopa (Ann Oper Res 193(1):49–69, 2012). This is because it takes $$O(2^N)$$ in case of N MVaRs in $$R^n$$ to find the exact value of MCVaR. In this paper, upon the basis of ideas in Lee and Prekopa (Oper Res Lett 45:19–24, 2017) and Lee (Oper Res Lett 45:1204–1220, 2017), together with proper adjustments, we study efficient methods for the calculation of the MCVaR without resorting to an approximation. In fact, the proposed methods not only have polynomial time complexity but also computes the exact value of MCVaR. We also discuss additional benefits MCVaR has to offer over its univariate counter part, the conditional value-at-risk, by providing numerical results. Numerical examples are presented with computing time in both cases of given population and sample data sets.
Solving Linear Programs with Sqrt(rank) Linear System Solves.

We present an algorithm that given a linear program with $n$ variables, $m$ constraints, and constraint matrix $A$, computes an $\epsilon$-approximate solution in $\tilde{O}(\sqrt{rank(A)}\log(1/\epsilon))$ iterations with high probability. Each iteration of our method consists of solving $\tilde{O}(1)$ linear systems and additional nearly linear time computation, improving by a factor of $\tilde{\Omega}((m/rank(A))^{1/2})$ over the previous fastest method with this iteration cost due to Renegar (1988). Further, we provide a deterministic polynomial time computable $\tilde{O}(rank(A))$-self-concordant barrier function for the polytope, resolving an open question of Nesterov and Nemirovski (1994) on the theory of "universal barriers" for interior point methods. Applying our techniques to the linear program formulation of maximum flow yields an $\tilde{O}(|E|\sqrt{|V|}\log(U))$ time algorithm for solving the maximum flow problem on directed graphs with $|E|$ edges, $|V|$ vertices, and integer capacities of size at most $U$. This improves upon the previous fastest polynomial running time of $O(|E|\min\{|E|^{1/2},|V|^{2/3}\}\log(|V|^{2}/|E|)\log(U))$ achieved by Goldberg and Rao (1998). In the special case of solving dense directed unit capacity graphs our algorithm improves upon the previous fastest running times of $O(|E|\min\{|E|^{1/2},|V|^{2/3}\})$ achieved by Even and Tarjan (1975) and Karzanov (1973) and of $\tilde{O}(|E|^{10/7})$ achieved more recently by Mądry (2013).
Antidiabetic drug use trends in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND There is little information on medication use, trends across time, and the impact of guidelines on appropriate use of antidiabetic drugs in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005-2016 was carried out for participants with T2DM with and without CKD. Multivariate survey-weighted regression models were used to evaluate trends in antidiabetic drug use across the time periods and CKD severity. Guideline-discordant use of metformin and glyburide were assessed among those with glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine-based contraindications. RESULTS Out of 3237 study participants with T2DM, 35.9% had CKD. Comparing 2013-2016 with 2005-2008, use of metformin (non-CKD: 69% vs 83.8%, CKD: 58.6% vs 68.2%) increased, whereas the use of sulfonylureas (non-CKD: 46.3% vs 27.2%, CKD: 54.7% vs 36.6%) and thiazolidinediones (non-CKD: 29.3% vs 3.9%, CKD: 24.6% vs 5.5%) decreased. In combined NHANES cycles and across stages of CKD severity, metformin use decreased (non-CKD, stage 1/2, stage 3, stage 4/5: 78.4%, 69.5%, 54.6%, 4.9%, respectively; P < .01), and insulin use increased (18.5%, 26.8%, 25%, 52.8%, respectively; P < .01) from non-CKD to progressed CKD. Guideline-discordant use of metformin and glyburide was observed in 8.3% and 2.8% of the participants, respectively, in 2013-2016. CONCLUSIONS Use of particular antidiabetic medications in patients with CKD changed noticeably over the years, most in accordance with guidelines and regulatory decisions. Gaps in quality of care still exist, which warrants increasing awareness and implementing programs to mitigate inappropriate use.
Adipocyte-Derived Hormones

Abstract Once considered a passive participant in energy storage, adipose tissue is now recognized as a dynamic organ that performs important physiologic processes. Currently, adipose tissue and adipocytes themselves are widely recognized as the source of numerous endocrine mediators. Adipocytes and other cells present in adipose tissue secrete miRNA, exosomes, lipids, steroids, inflammatory cytokines, and peptide hormones that act in both paracrine and endocrine modes. Three peptide hormones with substantial endocrine activity are produced nearly exclusively from adipocytes. These three hormones are leptin, adiponectin, and resistin. In mice, they are produced in adipocytes. However, in humans, resistin is produced from immune cells. These hormones have all been discovered in the past 25 years, and research on these hormones has greatly enhanced our understanding of adipocyte function and its contributions to systemic metabolism. This review will focus on structure, signaling, and function of these hormones and their relationship to metabolic health.
Understanding basic concepts of developmental diagnosis in children

Developmental diagnosis is based on an understanding of basic concepts of typical and atypical developmental progression. Child development is influenced by multiple factors, including the development of the nervous system and other organ systems, and the child’s physical and social environment. Different factors interplay with each other in influencing the overall development of the child. Development and behavior of the child are intricately associated. Typical child development follows certain basic principles. Some of the more commonly reported developmental concerns include global developmental delay, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, delayed speech and language, attention deficits, autism, and specific learning disabilities. The clinical presentation of atypical development varies, depending up on the age of the child; with motor delay in early infancy, and learning difficulties in school age child. Regular surveillance and periodic screening help identify specific areas of developmental and behavioral concerns and suggest a need for further appropriate psychological, medical and laboratory evaluation. The principles of management of a child with developmental concerns include early intervention and response to treatment approach, remediation, accommodation, and specific behavioral and pharmacological interventions when indicated.
Why Can’t I Be Latina, Female, and Professional? Clinical Implications of Social Discourses that Render Class Invisible

This article will first present and then apply an Integrated Sociopolitical and Psychological Analysis Model, ISPA, to examine the complexity of social class and social class— consciousness in an i...
Locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT) for water disinfection

Water disinfection is a critical step in water and wastewater treatment. The most widely used chlorination suffers from the formation of carcinogenic disinfection by-products (DBPs) while alternative methods (e.g., UV, O3, and membrane filtration) are limited by microbial regrowth, no residual disinfectant, and high operation cost. Here, a nanowire-enabled disinfection method, locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT), is introduced with advantages of no chemical addition, no DBP formation, low energy consumption, and efficient microbial inactivation. Attributed to the lightning rod effect, the electric field near the tip area of the nanowires on the electrode is significantly enhanced to inactivate microbes, even though a small external voltage (usually < 5 V) is applied. In this review, after emphasizing the significance of water disinfection, the theory of the LEEFT is explained. Subsequently, the recent development of the LEEFT technology on electrode materials and device configurations are summarized. The disinfection performance is analyzed, with respect to the operating parameters, universality against different microorganisms, electrode durability, and energy consumption. The studies on the inactivation mechanisms during the LEEFT are also reviewed. Lastly, the challenges and future research of LEEFT disinfection are discussed.
The Interaction Between Rosuvastatin and Ticagrelor Leading to Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Report and Narrative Review.

Objective: Drug interactions are a common cause of morbidity and mortality and may require prompt discontinuation of therapeutic regimens due to harmful side effects. Patients with acute coronary s...
‘Where all my bad girls at?’: cosmopolitan femininity through racialised appropriations in K-pop

This article examines the polyvalence of racial(ised) representations in K-pop performances. The analysis of K-pop star CL’s (2013) song and video ‘Nappeun gijibae’ (‘The bad girl’) demonstrates how the artist projects an assertive femininity by embodying and localising the Bad Bitch: a sexually agentive figure of womanhood from US hip hop. CL’s use of African American English and conventionalised hip hop tropes helps resignify gijibae, a pejorative Korean term for women. By shifting between decontextualised styles invoking a different time and place, CL is able to build a kind of chronotopic capital that transforms fragmented styles into an empowered cosmopolitan femininity. However, although CL’s performance challenges Korean gendered norms in its use of local linguistic resources, her selective appropriations of US Black and Chicanx cultural signifiers reproduce narrow images of racialised femininities and reify a hierarchy of valuation along lines of gender and race.