cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A PIV analysis around a thermal breathing manikin

We present a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) database on a benchmark test case involving a thermal manikin exposed to a displacement ventilation and a separate breathing only experiment. This database can be used for calibration/validation of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and unsteady RANS (Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes) techniques for prediction of such biological/environmental flows. Since this is also a multipoint database, we can utilize it for application of Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) based low dimensional tools. This is particularly useful in regions of the flow where there are steep gradients. By picking out the energy containing structures of the exhaled and inhaled air of a breathing manikin via the POD, we can observe such structures in this flow as we progress along the breathing waveform. With only a few POD modes we are able to capture the essential structure of the flow field through the breathing cycle. This is important as we try to understand and ultimately control such environments. There are multiple benefits to this research, including CFD validation in the case of the standing manikin, and characterization of the unsteady behavior in the complex flow of the breathing zone using low dimensional tools. While not presented here, this dataset is also being used for a multi-window analysis in order to compare the different spatial scales of the flow.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Plasma electron capture dissociation for the characterization of large proteins by top down mass spectrometry.

For the backbone dissociation of large (29 kDa) multiply charged protein ions in the gas phase by electron capture, the main experimental challenges are juxtaposition of the electron and ion for efficient capture, dissociation of tertiary noncovalent bonds that prevent product separation, and minimization of secondary electron capture that destroys larger product ions. A simple alternative methodology is described in which electrons (0.03−100 μA, 0.1−15 eV) are first impinged on a gas pulse in the ion cell of a Fourier transform mass spectrometer, followed by ion beam introduction. For carbonic anhydrase, the resulting plasma conditions produce 87% efficiency for electron capture; a single spectrum yields 512 product ions of 237 different masses from cleavage of 183 of the 258 interresidue bonds, while two spectra cleave 197 of these bonds. The problem of secondary dissociation of product ions is reduced by plasma conditions in which product ions are formed near electrons whose velocities are unfavorable ...
An unusual membrane specialization of mammalian cells in vitro

Abstract An unusual membrane specialization, termed “particle rows,” was revealed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy in cultured mammalian cells including dissociated central nervous system tissue and peripheral connective tissue. The specialization consisted of rows of particles slightly elevated on the P fracture face, with a regular periodicity of 35 nm between the rows and a uniform length of the rows of 100 nm. It was usually associated with caveolae (pits) and sometimes accompanied gap junctions, or tight and gap junctional complexes within the same membrane. The particle rows are probably expressed by more than one cell type, all in immature form.
The local information content of the protein structural database

A simple study of the information available within proteins of known structure reveals both the limits of structure prediction based on overall statistical correlations between sequence and structure, and the areas where there is still a possibility for further structural database exploitation.
Global gene expression of Prochlorococcus ecotypes in response to changes in nitrogen availability

Nitrogen (N) often limits biological productivity in the oceanic gyres where Prochlorococcus is the most abundant photosynthetic organism. The Prochlorococcus community is composed of strains, such as MED4 and MIT9313, that have different N utilization capabilities and that belong to ecotypes with different depth distributions. An interstrain comparison of how Prochlorococcus responds to changes in ambient nitrogen is thus central to understanding its ecology. We quantified changes in MED4 and MIT9313 global mRNA expression, chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosystem II photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) along a time series of increasing N starvation. In addition, the global expression of both strains growing in ammonium-replete medium was compared to expression during growth on alternative N sources. There were interstrain similarities in N regulation such as the activation of a putative NtcA regulon during N stress. There were also important differences between the strains such as in the expression patterns of carbon metabolism genes, suggesting that the two strains integrate N and C metabolism in fundamentally different ways.
Septree Representations Of Moving Objects Using Hexagonal Cylindrical Decomposition

This paper describes the volumetric decomposition of an object into a hierarchy of hexagonal cylinders. The representation results in a tree of degree 7, called septree. A hierarchical addressing system, the generalized balanced ternary (GBT), is employed for the cylinders. The objective of this paper is to present efficient computational algorithms for manipulating the tree representation as the object undergoes translation and limited rotation through space.
A microwave beacon and guiding signals for airports and their approaches

A novel circular array of 90 equally spaced vertical dipoles is described. It is driven by just one element. When the spacing, length, and radius of the identical elements are properly chosen, the entire array is resonant with large currents in each element. These alternate 180/spl deg/ in phase and set up a far field that consists of 90 sharp spikes separated by 90 nulls. When dimensioned for a microwave frequency of 3 GHz, the array generates a field pattern that can be applied to provide a microwave beacon and guiding signals for aircraft approaching an airport. These would supplement the normal central high-intensity light and the approach lights, and provide a potentially useful guidance system for coastal airports embedded in dense fog that obscures the lights.
Evaluation of density functional theory methods for the electronic interactions between indole and substituted benzene: Applications to horseradish peroxidase

In an effort to evaluate and design fast, accurate density functional theory (DFT) methods for calculating electrostatic and dispersion interactions between proteins and ligands, we have set up a model system examining interactions between mono-substituted benzene and indole in seven different stable conformations. We first optimized the geometries of the monomers at the B3LYP/6-31G level, and then scanned the potential curves with MP2, HF, B3LYP, SVWN, and HCTH407 [all at the 6-311++G(d,p) level] to find the optimum separation. We used the approximate counterpoise method to calculate the basis set superposition error-corrected interaction energies at the optimum geometries. We then applied these methods to the interactions between aromatic active site residues of horseradish peroxidase C with indole-3-propionic acid at two different binding sites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Why cholesterol as a central theme in coronary artery disease

Abstract Evidence from epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have conclusively demonstrated a direct association between coronary artery disease and levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Data from a number of studies suggest that even “average” or “normal” cholesterol levels are too high with respect to coronary artery disease risk. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol have also emerged as a coronary artery disease risk. A recent meta-analysis has eliminated much of the controversy surrounding triglyceride’s contribution to coronary artery disease risk, establishing triglyceride levels as an independent risk factor. Lowering lipid levels by any means—including pharmacologic, surgical, and dietary/lifestyle changes—decreases coronary artery disease risk.
STRONG DEGRADATION OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND FORMATION OF A DEAD LAYER IN FERROELECTRIC FILMS DUE TO INTERFACIAL DISLOCATIONS

ASTRACT Dislocations are the most common type of secondary defects and are unavoidaly present in all crystalline materials. They have een oserved in ferroelectric materials as in many other materials systems. Experiments have shown that they may have a significant impact on the degradation of the electrical properties and may change phase transition characteristics in epitaxial ferroelectric thin films. In this study, we provide a general overview of experimental oservations comined with a preliminary thermodynamic analysis.
Gas permeability of various graphite/epoxy composite laminates for cryogenic storage systems

Experiments were performed to investigate the effect of cryogenic cycling on the gas permeability of various composite laminates for cryogenic storage systems. Textile composites have lower permeability than laminated composites even with increasing number of cryogenic cycles. Nano-particles dispersed in one of the ply-interfaces in tape laminates do not show improvement in permeability. Micrographs of sections of various specimens provide some insight into formation of microcracks, and damage before and after cryogenic cycling. In laminated tape composites microcracks in various layers connect and form an easy path for gas leakage. Composites wherein plies of different orientations are dispersed rather than grouped show excellent performance even after cryogenic cycling. In textile composites the damage is restricted to regions contained by the weave yarns and hence the permeability does not increase significantly with cryo-cycling.
Using Laser Scanning Cytometry to Measure PPAR-Mediated Peroxisome Proliferation and β Oxidation

Laser scanning cytometry (LSC) is a new technology that combines the properties and advantages of flow cytometry (FC) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), thus providing qualitative and quantitative information on protein expression with the additional perspective provided by cell and tissue localization. Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded liver sections from rats exposed to a Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor (PPAR) agonist were stained with antibodies against peroxisomal targeting signal-1 (PTS-1) (a highly conserved tripeptide contained within all peroxisomal enzymes), Acyl CoA oxidase (AOX) (the rate limiting enzyme of peroxisomal beta oxidation), and catalase (an inducible peroxisomal antioxidant enzyme) to evaluate peroxisomal beta oxidation, oxidative stress, and peroxisome proliferation. The LSC showed increased AOX, catalase, and PTS-1 expression in centrilobular hepatocytes that correlated favorably with the microscopic observation of centrilobular hepatocellular hypertrophy and with the palmitoyl CoA biochemical assay for peroxisomal beta oxidation, and provided additional morphologic information about peroxisome proliferation and tissue patterns of activation. Therefore, the LSC provides qualitative and quantitative evaluation of peroxisome activity with similar sensitivity but higher throughput than the traditional biochemical methods. The additional benefits of the LSC include the direct correlation between histopathologic observations and peroxisomal alterations and the potential utilization of archived formalin-fixed tissues from a variety of organs and species.
The dependence of viral parameter estimates on the assumed viral life cycle: limitations of studies of viral load data

Estimation of viral parameters, such as the basic reproductive number (R0) and infected cell life span, is central to the quantitative study of the within-host dynamics of viral diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. As these parameters can rarely be determined directly, they are usually estimated indirectly by fitting mathematical models to viral load data. This paper investigates how parameter estimates obtained by such procedures depend on the assumptions made concerning the viral life cycle. It finds that estimates of the basic reproductive number obtained using viral load data collected during the initial stages of infection can depend quite sensitively on these assumptions. The use of models which neglect the intracellular delay before virion production can lead to severe underestimates of R0 and, hence, to overly optimistic predictions of how efficacious treatment must be in order to prevent or eradicate the disease. These results are also of importance for attempts at estimating R0 from similar epidemiological data as there is a correspondence between within-host and between-host models. Estimates of the life span of infected cells obtained from viral load data collected during drug treatment studies also depend on the assumptions made in modelling the virus life cycle. The use of more realistic descriptions of the life cycle is seen to increase estimates of infected cell life span, in addition to providing a new explanation for the shoulder phase seen during drug treatment. This study highlights the limitations of what can be learnt by fitting mathematical models to infectious disease data without detailed independent knowledge of the life cycle of the infectious agent.
Toxicology and carcinogenicity studies of diuretics in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice 1. Hydrochlorothiazide

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of hydrochlorothiazide, a benzothiadiazide diuretic, were conducted by administering diets containing the drug to both sexes of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice in 15-day, 13-week and 2-year studies. No rats died during the 15-day or 13-week studies at dietary concentrations of up to 50,000 ppm. Deaths of male mice in the top dose group in the 13-week study were likely to be related to chemical administration. In the prechronic studies, increased nephrosis and mineralization at the kidney corticomedullary junction were the primary toxic effects of hydrochlorothiazide observed in rats. In mice, chemical-related effects included nephrosis and calculi, inflammation and epithelial hyperplasia in the urinary bladder. In 2-year studies using dietary concentrations of 0, 250, 500 and 2000 ppm in rats and 0, 2500 and 5000 ppm in mice, survival of dosed and control groups of rats and mice was similar, as were body weights of mice. Dosed groups of male and female rats were uniformly lighter than controls (up to 25%) throughout the studies. Severe chronic renal disease with secondary parathyroid hyperplasia and fibrous osteodystrophy of the bone were attributed to chemical administration in rats. No neoplasms in rats or female mice or non-neoplastic lesions in mice were associated with hydrochlorothiazide. In high-dose male mice, liver neoplasms were increased but were not considered to be related to hydrochlorothiazide administration because of an unusually low incidence in the control group relative to historical controls.
Lung function measurements in a preterm animal model of respiratory failure: comparison of two different neonatal ventilators.

A variety of ventilators are used in the NICU. Ventilator and lung function measures are often applied in weaning protocols or as outcome variables. The effect of different ventilators on these measures has not been well studied. Our objective was to compare ventilator and lung function measurements in a chronic preterm animal model managed with two different neonatal ventilators. Timed baboon pregnancies exposed to antenatal steroids were delivered by C/S at 125 days (term = 185 days). Infants were immediately intubated, given surfactant, and ventilated with low tidal volumes (4–6 ml/kg) for 6–14 days using well-defined protocols. One group was ventilated via InfantStar (IS) and the other by VIP-Bird (VIP). Physiologic and pulmonary function data were serially recorded with the VitalTrends plethysmography system. Between ventilator comparisons were made. InfantStar (IS) was used on 22 infants in 2002–03, VIP was used on 29 infants in 2004–05. No differences were found for gestation, birth weight, gender, paO2, paCO2, FiO2, arterial/alveolar ratio, dynamic compliance, inspiratory resistance, or tidal volumes. From 24 to 336 h, peak and mean airway pressure, ventilator rate, and ventilatory efficiency index (VEI: PIP × R × CO2/1,000) were significantly greater in the VIP group at multiple time points. VIP use was associated with a significant increase in expiratory airway resistance (Rexp − cmH2O/L/s) at all but one-time points studied. Compared to the IS, use of the VIP-Bird ventilator in surfactant treated immature baboons with RDS was associated with increased expiratory airway resistance and indices of impaired ventilation, but not oxygenation. Ventilator management in the NICU, especially weaning, may be affected by the specific ventilator in use. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2006, 41:1069–1076. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A model for flash weakening by asperity melting during high-speed earthquake slip

[1] Recent results from laboratory experiments on a broad range of mineral systems exhibit dramatic drops in the effective friction coefficient μ once the slip rate exceeds a critical level Vw, which is typically O(0.1) m/s. This “flash weakening” has been attributed to the effects of localized heating at highly stressed microscopic asperities. We extend previous phenomenological treatments to assess whether melting at asperity contacts can explain the observed changes in strength. Using physical parameters obtained from the literature on the phase behavior and mechanical properties of quartz, albite, dolomite, gabbro, Westerly granite, and serpentinite, the predictions of our simplified model are in reasonable agreement with available experimental data. We derive approximate analytical expressions that suggest that strength changes are insensitive to the melt viscosity under conditions that likely include those during earthquake slip along major fault systems. Instead, the primary controls on μ are the ratio of slip rate V to Vw and the Stefan number S, which is defined as the ratio of the latent heat of fusion to the sensible heat required to raise the temperature from ambient levels. The phase behavior during the short lifetimes and at the high confining pressures of asperity contacts is a significant source of uncertainty in the parameter choices, as are the presence and availability of water. Nevertheless, our results are encouraging for further efforts to incorporate the microphysics of fault zone processes into earthquake simulations.
Saving the World, One Server at a Time, Together

From mobile devices to warehouse-size datacenters, power and energy are important system design considerations, impacting electricity consumption, the ability to cost-effectively cool the system, and overall reliability. Achieving the next order-of-magnitude improvement in power management requires a holistic approach to how to study and reason about energy efficiency and how to optimize system design across traditional implementation boundaries.
Corrosion System Modeling under Nonstandard Conditions Using Microcomputer Programs for Free-Energy Minimization

Abstract Computer algorithms that minimize the Gibbs free energy of complex systems are applied to a system undergoing corrosion. Such calculations are more correct than standard single equation calculations since they adjust species' activities to reflect correctly the competing equilibria. An example of the application of such a calculation is given, based on the secondary system of a nuclear power plant. The programs described are available for use on microcomputers.
Feasibility study of smart substrate multichip modules

This paper analyzes the feasibility of MCMs using active silicon substrates with built-in resting circuitry. It identifies the domain of applicability of such MCMs and points to limitations of the "Known Good Die" approach.
Affirmative Action and Job Satisfaction: Understanding Underlying Processes

In the present article, we examine the relationship between perceptions of affirmative action and the satisfaction of racial and ethnic minority faculty members. We develop a conceptual model of factors that mediate the impact of affirmative action on the satisfaction of faculty of color, and investigate this model based on survey responses of 84 African-American, 48 Latina/o, and 59 Asian faculty. Analyses showed that the satisfaction of faculty of color is significantly related to how affirmative action is perceived to be embraced by the community, and that this effect is mediated by how supportive colleagues are seen and how much self-doubt faculty experience. Data also indicated the important role of mentoring for supporting the goals of affirmative action.
Measuring Flow in Michigan Youth Firearm Deer Hunters and Implications for Hunter Recruitment

Although some recent research suggests that participation in recreational hunting is increasing (FHWAR, 2012), the overall general decline in hunting is cause for concern among state and federal wi...
Performance implications of chipset caches in web servers

As Internet usage continues to expand rapidly, careful attention needs to be paid to the design of Internet servers for achieving high performance and end-user satisfaction. In this paper, with the aim of improving memory system performance of Internet servers, we propose and evaluate various design alternatives for "chipset caches", a shared cache layer embedded within a server chipset. Using our trace-based cache simulation framework (CASPER) and SPECweb99 as a representative workload for web servers, we present the performance implications of chipset caches in a front-end dual-processor web server. We start by analyzing the improvement gained by caching the data from processor-initiated requests alone. We study the sensitivity to basic cache parameters (such as cache size and associativity) and also study the impact of prefetching into the chipset cache. We then present the performance implications of routing memory requests initiated by I/O devices through the chipset cache. Finally, we also study the implications of making the chipset cache inclusive. Based on detailed simulation data and its implications on system level performance, this paper shows that chipset caches have significant potential for future Internet servers.
SMART: The Stochastic Monotone Aggregated Root-Finding Algorithm

We introduce the Stochastic Monotone Aggregated Root-Finding (SMART) algorithm, a new randomized operator-splitting scheme for finding roots of finite sums of operators. These algorithms are similar to the growing class of incremental aggregated gradient algorithms, which minimize finite sums of functions; the difference is that we replace gradients of functions with black-boxes called operators, which represent subproblems to be solved during the algorithm. By replacing gradients with operators, we increase our modeling power, and we simplify the application and analysis of the resulting algorithms. The operator point of view also makes it easy to extend our algorithms to allow arbitrary sampling and updating of blocks of coordinates throughout the algorithm. Implementing and running an algorithm like this on a computing cluster can be slow if we force all computing nodes to be synched up at all times. To take better advantage of parallelism, we allow computing nodes to delay updates and break synchronization. This paper has several technical and practical contributions. We prove the weak, almost sure convergence of a new class of randomized operator-splitting schemes in separable Hilbert spaces; we prove that this class of algorithms convergences linearly in expectation when a weak regularity property holds; we highlight connections to other algorithms; and we introduce a few new algorithms for large-scale optimization.
Comparison of Functional Response and Mutual Interference Between Two Aphelinid Parasitoids of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Functional responses and mutual interference were compared in an indigenous parasitoid, Encarsia pergandiella Howard (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), with that of an exotic parasitoid, Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Aphelinidae) from Spain, attacking the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Type II functional response curves were fitted to the data and were used to calculate handling time. Eretmocerus mundus attacked more whitefly nymphs than E. pergandiella. Handling times estimated from the functional responses were 72 min for E. pergandiella and 12 min for E. mundus, suggesting that lower attack rates for the former parasitoid may be attributed to longer handling times. The statistically estimated handling time for E. mundus was compared with an estimate derived from empirical observations of parasitoid behavior. Actual observations of handling time, defined as oviposition, host feeding and associated preening, yielded a mean handling time of <2 min, suggesting...
A Behavior Generation Framework for Robots to Learn from Demonstrations

This paper proposes a framework of generating behavior sequences for robots, especially for humanoid robots, to perform complex tasks. This framework provides a method for the robot to generalize common features of demonstrated behaviors, to store the learned behaviors in the memory system, to construct a behavior graph to describe relationships among learned behaviors, to find and assemble a behavior sequence, and to generate similar motion trajectories of basic behaviors when it is placed in a similar but slightly different task-relevant situation. Additionally, we successfully use behavior graph to describe the dynamic relationship among behaviors and we successfully apply shortest path searching methods in behavior sequence generation, which provides a novel solution to associate knowledge representation with behavior generation. Simulation and experiments are carried on a humanoid robot to validate our proposed framework.
Religion as Response: The Call of Being

Thus far, in our last three chapters, we have been working our way toward uncovering the nature of the thinking that Heidegger undertakes in order to prepare for a reorientation of religious thinking. In Chapter 2, under the guidance of Nietzsche’s proclamation of the death of God, we undertook the task of mapping out how Heidegger’s thinking is not a “theological” thinking, i.e., not a thinking to be based or founded on the certainty of either faith, God, revelation, or the subject, and is not involved in apologetics and justification of any particular system of signs and symbols. Since such “abysmal” thinking “begins” with the loss of the traditional issue for thinking — i.e., the transcendent-transcendental basis on which thinking is secured — our attention shifted in Chapter 3 to characterizing the issue or matter [Sache] of Heideggerian thinking. Here reflections on truth and world led to a “topological” thinking, a situated thinking that takes place and comes-to-pass within an opening region in which truth “happens” — within which thinking takes place and is appropriated in an event of meaning [Ereignis] in which thinking comes into its own.
Economic evaluation of whole-genome sequencing in healthy individuals: what can we learn from CEAs of whole-body CT screening?

Economic evaluation of whole-genome sequencing in healthy individuals: what can we learn from CEAs of whole-body CT screening?
Hygiene evaluation of the new secondary water supply in Zhongshan city 2007-2009

Objective To provide the basis for the secondary water supply construction projects through the hygiene evaluation of the new secondary water supply projects and research the related engineering technologies and measures.Methods According to the related national standards and norms,the projects were evaluated with their design information,field investigation and the results of water quality test.Results Most secondary water supply facilities were reformed and improved according to the suggestions in the pre-evaluation,and after standardized washed and sterilized the pass rate of the water samples was100%.Comparing with the test results of the old facilities,the water quality of the new facilities raised obviously,turbidity with P0.01(u=4.48) in 2008 and P0.01(u=8.52) in 2009,oxygen consumption with P0.01(u=6.72)in 2008 and P0.01(u=6.16) in 2009.Conclusion It is important to ensure the hygiene safety of secondary water supply,standardized construction of the facility and effective regulations should be paid serious attention.
Pseudomembranous colitis after trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy.

Abstract We report on a girl in whom pseudomembranous colitis developed after 4 weeks of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infection. Increasing usage of this agent for common childhood infections requires that pseudomembranous colitis be recognized as a complication of its use in children.
Adenocarcinoma of the (Lower) Stomach

Stomach cancer has long been thought to be a result of dietary factors, including excessive consumption of salted foods, starches, and foods containing nitrites, and deficiencies of fruits and vegetables. More recently, it has become apparent that the single most important cause is a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori , which is acquired early in life, probably from family members. Gastric adenocarcinoma increases in frequency generally with age and is twice as common among men as women. It occurs with equal frequency in Los Angeles County and most areas of the country, other than Utah, where incidence is lower. It has long been known to occur more commonly among men, persons born in developing countries, and persons of lower social class. The current conventional explanation for this pattern is that the causative organism, H. pylori , spreads more easily within families under conditions of reduced hygiene. The observed pattern of its occurrence is consistent with this explanation, as the census tracts at high-risk tend to be those with large numbers of immigrant Latinos and Asian-Americans. The reason for the higher risk among men is unknown.
Ocular biometrics databases: Standards and data interchange formats

The current challenges to developing commercial Ocular Biometric systems are to create applications that tolerate unconstrained environments. Designs for sensors, user interfaces, and algorithms must perform well under variable illumination, poses, and camera distances, with low-quality images, and within other real-world conditions. Practical deployment requires interoperability of data and processing algorithms from multiple systems. Facilitating meaningful progress ultimately demands Biometric Databases that contain real-world data. Accelerated standardization offers practical means to organize the tremendous volume of emerging biometric information. Standards enable data exchanges that are grounded on comparable and compatible formats. This paper describes the development of a research-oriented Ocular Biometric Database that contains images acquired in conditions relevant to unconstrained environments. The data was collected with different sensors and imaging systems under diverse conditions representing real-world applications. Images and related data were stored in a database adhering to extended biometric standards requirements and biometric data-interchange formats. Assessment and applicability reviews were performed on existing national and international standards pertaining to ocular biometrics and were used during the development. The paper describes the design approach with a goal to achieve interoperability and standardization of data and results. It also addresses recent developments in biometric data acquisition, pre- and post-processing, information storage, exchange, and access control.
Comparison of outcomes: scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy versus vitrectomy alone for primary repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Objective To assess the combination of scleral buckling (SB) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) versus PPV alone in the primary repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs). Methods The current study was a retrospective, comparative, interventional, consecutive case series of 179 eyes of 174 patients who underwent primary RRD repair by five surgeons between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010, utilizing SB with PPV or PPV. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the efficacy of the two surgical strategies and assess for risk factors of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Results Single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) was similar (P=0.76) between the PPV group (112 of 132 eyes, 85%) and SB with PPV group (39 of 47 eyes, 83%). Final anatomic success was 100% in each group. There was no difference in rates of PVR formation (PPV 16% vs SB with PPV 19%, P=0.70). Final logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution acuity was 0.33 (20/43) in the PPV group and 0.37 (20/47) in the SB with PPV group (P=0.62). Postoperative anterior chamber fibrin was highly correlated with PVR formation (PVR 13% vs no PVR 0.7%, P=0.003; odds ratio =68.37, P=0.007). Separate analysis of medium- to high-complexity cases showed similar SSAS (PPV 86% vs SB with PPV 83%, P=0.45). Conclusion SB with PPV versus PPV alone were similarly efficacious for repair of primary RRDs of varying complexity. SSAS rates, PVR incidence, and final visual acuities were not significantly different.
Mapping local deformation behavior in single cell metal lattice structures

The deformation behavior of metal lattice structures is extremely complex and challenging to predict, especially since strain is not uniformly distributed throughout the structure. Understanding and predicting the failure behavior for these types of light-weighting structures is of great interest due to the excellent scaling of stiffness- and strength-to weight ratios they display. Therefore, there is a need to perform simplified experiments that probe unit cell mechanisms. This study reports on high resolution mapping of the heterogeneous structural response of single unit cells to the macro-scale loading condition. Two types of structures, known to show different stress-strain responses, were evaluated using synchrotron radiation micro-tomography while performing in-situ uniaxial compression tests to capture the local micro-strain deformation. These structures included the octet-truss, a stretch-dominated lattice, and the rhombic-dodecahedron, a bend-dominated lattice. The tomographic analysis showed that the stretch- and bend-dominated lattices exhibit different failure mechanisms and that the defects built into the structure cause a heterogeneous localized deformation response. Also shown here is a change in failure mode for stretch-dominated lattices, where there appears to be a transition from buckling to plastic yielding for samples with a relative density between 10 and 20%. The experimental results were also used to inform computational studies designed to predict the mesoscale deformation behavior of lattice structures. Here an equivalent continuum model and a finite element model were used to predict both local strain fields and mechanical behavior of lattices with different topologies.
Isothermal amplification of specific sequences

Abstract: This chapter focuses on the mechanisms of isothermal amplification of specific sequences. More than 15 different isothermal amplification technologies – including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP); strand displacement amplification (SDA); cross priming amplification (CPA); rolling circle amplification (RCA); helicase-dependent amplification (HDA); recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA); nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) and transcription mediated amplification (TMA) – have been grouped for discussion and comparison. The following aspects are compared and presented for each platform: amplification scheme, primer design, major amplified products, detection methods, advantages and/or disadvantages. Furthermore, the impacts, clinical applications and future trends of isothermal amplification technologies are discussed. With the rapid development of modern biotechnologies, the mechanisms of nucleic acid amplification in vivo will be further discovered by scientists, and the related proteins will be manufactured with superior quality and at low cost in vitro. Therefore, the performance and application of isothermal amplification can be further exploited.
Family communication patterns that predict perceptions of upheaval and psychological well-being for emerging adult children following late-life divorce

ABSTRACTThis study examined the experiences of emerging adult children following their parents’ divorce in later life. Drawing on family communication patterns theory, we examined each parent’s conformity orientation and conversation orientation as predictors of young adult children’s perceptions of family turbulence and feeling caught, which in turn predicted depressive symptoms and resilience. Young adult children (N = 171) who were over the age of 18 at the time of their parents’ divorce completed surveys about their family communication patterns and their perceptions of individual and family outcomes following the divorce. Our findings point to differing conformity and conversation orientations enacted by each parent. Mothers’ and fathers’ conformity orientations were associated with turbulence and feeling caught, but only fathers’ conversation orientation was associated with feeling caught. Perceptions of turbulence were positively associated with depressive symptoms and negatively associated with re...
Quality of life is significantly associated with survival in women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: An ancillary data analysis of the NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG-0218) study

Abstract Objective Evaluate association between baseline quality of life (QOL) and changes in QOL measured by FACT-O TOI with progression-free disease (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods Patients enrolled in GOG-0218 with completed FACT-O TOI assessments at baseline and at least one follow-up assessment were eligible. Baseline FACT-O TOI scores were sorted by quartiles (Q1-4) and outcomes compared between Q1 and Q2-4 with log-rank statistic and multivariate Cox regression adjusting for age, stage, post-surgical residual disease size, and performance status (PS). Trends in FACT-O TOI scores from baseline to the latest follow-up assessment were evaluated for impact on intragroup (Q1 or Q2-4) outcome by log-rank analysis. Results Of 1152 eligible patients, 283 formed Q1 and 869 formed Q2-4. Mean baseline FACT-O TOI scores were 47.5 for Q1 vs. 74.7 for Q2-4 ( P P =0.001) and worse median PFS (12.5 vs. 13.1months, P =0.096). Q2-4 patients had decreased risks of disease progression (HR 0.974, 95% CI 0.953–0.995, P =0.018), and death (HR 0.963, 95% CI 0.939–0.987, P =0.003) for each five-point increase in baseline FACT-O TOI. Improving versus worsening trends in FACT-O TOI scores were associated with longer median PFS (Q1: 12.7 vs. 8.6months, P =0.001; Q2-4: 16.7 vs. 11.1months, P P P Conclusions Baseline FACT-O TOI scores were independently prognostic of PFS and OS while improving compared to worsening QOL was associated with significantly better PFS and OS in women with EOC.
Broadening the horizons of research on discovery-based learning

In reviewing the six articles within this Instructional Science special issue, we are reminded of Schoenfeld’s (Educ Res 45(2):105–111, 2016) review of American Educational Research Association president-authored papers for the centennial celebration of AERA. There, he succinctly unveiled the content focus of AERA research in the first half of the twentieth century: “there is content to be mastered; it is the schools’ job to help students master it” (p. 106). Yet, like Schoenfeld says, “A century later, we hear the echoes of this functionality in the calls for ‘21st-century skills,’” (p. 106), and the “skills” of the twentieth and twenty-first century would hardly know each other. Twentieth century skills, as represented in the accounts from past AERA presidents, were product-oriented, like accurate copying and precise handwriting. Twenty-first century skills are focused on creativity, ingenuity, critical thinking, and the like. In our primary research space, mathematics education, problem solving, sense making, and conceptual understanding dominates in the twenty-first century, whereas procedures dominated teaching and learning mathematics in the twentieth century.
Exploring respiratory protection practices for prominent hazards in healthcare settings.

The use of respiratory protection, an important component of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare, is dependent on the hazard and environmental conditions in the workplace. This requir...
Low-versus high-energy photon beams in radiotherapy for lung cancer

This retrospective study analyzed the outcome of lung cancer patients who were treated with either 4-MV or 10-MV photons. From October 1979 through December 1982, 126 patients with locally advanced, unresectable or medically inoperable, nonmetastatic non-small cell lung cancer were treated in a prospective trial in which they were randomly assigned to one of three chemotherapy combinations and thoracic radiotherapy. The patients were stratified by cell type, extent of operation, age, sex, and status of supraclavicular lymph nodes. All patients were followed until death or for a minimum of 4.8 years. Of the 102 evaluable patients, 98 were treated with either 4-MV or 10-MV photons (49 patients in each group). Outcomes examined included best primary tumor response, time to first local (in-field) recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival. No significant differences were detected between the patients treated with 4-MV or 10-MV photons for several important prognostic and treatment factors or for any of the study outcomes, including first local (in-field) recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival. For the group of 98 patients treated with either 4-MV or 10-MV photons, the estimated 2-year freedom from first local (in-field) recurrence was 47.7%. The estimated 2-year disease-free and overall survivals were 21.6% and 28.6%, respectively.
Computational Complexity Results

Section 10.1 defines the primitive operation of C-LAGs and proves that unambiguous C-LAGs parse in linear time. Section 10.2 presents complexity results of LA-grammar for a number of context-free languages in comparison to Earley’s algorithm. Section 10.3 discusses the method of “packing” an exponential number of readings. Section 10.4 proves that sound syntactically ambiguous C-LAGs parse in n2. Section 10.5 investigates different types of lexical ambiguity.
Can Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Induce Microscopic Colitis or a Brand New Entity

Background Microscopic colitis (MC) has been described as 1 pattern of injury in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICPI)-induced colitis. The main objective of this study was to characterize ICPI-induced MC by exploring the differences in risk factors, colitis treatments, endoscopic features, and clinical outcomes between cancer and noncancer patients with MC with and without exposure to ICPIs. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted among patients diagnosed with MC from our institutional pathology database from January 2012 to January 2018. Patients were categorized into MC in cancer patients with or without ICPI exposure and in noncancer patients. Risk factors (use of tobacco and certain medications), colitis treatments (antidiarrheals and immunosuppressants), endoscopic features (with or without mucosal abnormality), and clinical outcomes (diarrhea recurrence, hospitalization, mortality) were collected and compared among the 3 groups. Results Of the 65 eligible patients with MC, 15 cancer patients had exposure to ICPI, 39 cancer patients had no exposure to ICPI, and 11 had no cancer diagnosis. Among the risk factors, proton pump inhibitor was more frequently used in the ICPI-induced MC cohort (P = 0.040). Furthermore, in this population, mucosal abnormality was the most common endoscopic feature compared with normal findings in the non-ICPI-induced MC groups (P = 0.106). Patients with ICPI-induced MC required more treatments with oral and intravenous steroids and nonsteroidal immunosuppressive agents (all P < 0.001) and had a higher rate of hospitalization (P < 0.001). Conclusion This study suggests that despite some similarities between MC with and without exposure to ICPIs, ICPI-induced MC has a more aggressive disease course that requires more potent immunosuppressive treatment regimens and greater need for hospitalization. 10.1093/ibd/izy240_video1izy240.video15828223597001.
Dissertation Introduction: Ties Out of Bloodshed: Collective Memory, Cultural Trauma, and the Prosecution and Execution of Timothy McVeigh

In the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, processes of reconstruction - remembering victims, caring for family members and survivors, and punishing the perpetrators - began even as debris from the Murrah Federal Building was being cleared. This dissertation explores how collective memory of the bombing among family members and survivors was constructed through their participation in groups formed after the bombing and in the legal proceedings against perpetrators Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. These acts cultivated the formation of various relationships - between family members and survivors as well as between these victimized populations and the perpetrators - that both helped and hindered individual and communal reconstructions of meaning. Based upon data obtained through intensive interviews with victims' family members and survivors, this research studies the impact of membership in advocacy groups on memory work, the tensions that Timothy McVeigh's presence and actions introduced into the lives of family members and survivors, and McVeigh's execution as an event which freed memory work that had stymied in the years since the bombing. The implications of this case study illustrate in what ways concepts such as victimhood and justice are continually being expanded, with the implication that the law as a social institution is called upon to mediate cultural trauma and cultivate collective memory more consciously.
Abstract 229: Non-invasive, Patient-specific Assessment of LVAD Modeled With Consideration of LV Ejection and Function

The use of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a proven therapy for end-stage heart failure either as bridge-to-transplant or destination therapy. The improvement of LVADs with greater reliabi...