cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Innovative Logistics in Extreme Conditions: The Case of Health Care Delivery in Gambia

For millions of people across Africa, health interventions such as vaccines, HIV counseling and treatment, and other public health expertise are out of reach. Barriers to health care can include shortage of health personnel, scarcity of medicines, distance to a health center, terrain, poverty and lack of transportation. The logistical challenges to the delivery of health care in underdeveloped economies are often insurmountable. This case study examines a comprehensive vehicle management model designed by the social enterprise Riders for Health (Riders) to provide African ministries of health with consistently reliable and cost-effective vehicle fleets, thus enabling large-scale health care delivery. The model has been implemented through a public–private partnership between Riders and the Gambian Ministry of Health. When the national vehicle fleet is fully rolled out, Gambia will become the first African country to have sufficient health care delivery vehicles to service its population. The case highlights innovative best practices that can improve the coordination of material, information and financial flows of health logistics in extreme conditions. These innovations require diverse stakeholders such as NGOs, government, and donor organizations to work in close collaboration; incentive alignment is a critical step towards developing these partnerships. What Riders has been able to achieve in Gambia and other parts of Africa can serve as a lesson for business logistics operations in emerging economies.
Pentostatin Therapy of T-Cell Lymphomas With Cutaneous Manifestations

PURPOSE: To determine the side effects of and response to pentostatin in patients with T-cell lymphomas with cutaneous manifestations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pentostatin was administered to 28 patients who had relapsed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or peripheral T-cell lymphoma with prominent cutaneous disease. The starting dose was between 3.75 to 5.0 mg/m2/d intravenous for 3 days every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients assessable for response, 17 (71%) achieved a partial remission (46%) or complete remission (25%). The patients had a median number of three (range, one to 12) prior therapies. Of the 86 courses of pentostatin given, 39 were administered at doses of 5.0 mg/m2/d and 30 at doses of 3.75 mg/m2/d. Dose escalation to 6.25 mg/m2/d was possible in only five courses, and toxicity necessitated dose reduction to 2.8 mg/m2/d in 12 courses. The most common side effects were granulocytopenia, nausea, and nonneutropenic fever. Most patients developed significant lowering of CD4 counts. Herpes zoster was ...
Continuous Plate Analysis by Finite Panel Method

Stiffness matrices are developed for an approximate elastic analysis of rectangular plates which are two-way continuous over rigid supports. The basic structural element is a full-size plate (finite panel) having eight degrees-of-freedom. A Levy-type displacement function is employed in series fashion. Transverse loads are modeled by nodal line forces derived by enforcing reciprocal energy equivalence. Performance of the model is compared with conventional finite element solutions.
Flow Around Fixed Circular Cylinders: Fluctuating Loads

A review is presented of existing experimental information on the flow around, and the fluctuating loads on, fixed circular cylinders in uniform streams, including in particular the effects of free-stream turbulence and surface roughness. Dependent parameters examined are the Strouhal number, the root mean square drag, lift, and pressure coefficients, and the correlations and spectra of the fluctuations. The characterization and definition of the various flow regimes (subcritical, critical, supercritical, and transcritical), and the manner of transition between regimes are analyzed, with due regard to the possible three-dimensional nature of the flow and the effect of the inherent flow unsteadiness. Free-stream turbulence effects are examined in the various flow regimes; a limited review of theoretical results is also presented.
Role of zinc in pulmonary endothelial cell response to oxidative stress

Although zinc is a well-known inhibitor of apoptosis, it may contribute to oxidative stress-induced necrosis. We noted thatN,N,N′,N′- tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN; >10 μM), a zinc...
Theory of intervalley Coulomb interactions in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides

Exciton optical transitions in transition-metal dichalcogenides offer unique opportunities to study rich many-body physics. Recent experiments in monolayer ${\text{WSe}}_{2}$ and ${\text{WS}}_{2}$ have shown that, while the low-temperature photoluminescence from neutral excitons and three-body complexes is suppressed in the presence of elevated electron densities or strong photoexcitation, new dominant peaks emerge in the low-energy side of the spectrum. I present a theory that elucidates the nature of these optical transitions showing the role of the intervalley Coulomb interaction. After deriving a compact dynamical form for the Coulomb potential, I calculate the self-energy of electrons due to their interaction with this potential. For electrons in the upper valleys of the spin-split conduction band, the self-energy includes a moderate redshift due to exchange and, most importantly, a correlation-induced virtual state in the band gap. The latter sheds light on the origin of the luminescence in monolayer ${\text{WSe}}_{2}$ and ${\text{WS}}_{2}$ in the presence of pronounced many-body interactions.
Double C–H Bond Activation of Hydrocarbons by a Gas Phase Neutral Oxide Cluster: The Importance of Spin State

The neutral cluster V2O5 is generated and detected in the gas phase. Its reactivity toward butane is studied both experimentally and theoretically. Experimental results show clearly that neutral V2O5 can react with n-butane (C4H10) to generate V2O5H2, indicating double hydrogen atom transfer from C4H10 to V2O5 to produce C4H8. Further experimental evidence indicates that V2O5 is only partially reacted even at very high concentrations of C4H10. Density functional theory (DFT) studies show that the lowest energy triplet state of V2O5 is reactive toward C4H10, whereas the ground state singlet V2O5 is inert. Calculated results are in agreement with experimental findings, and a detailed reaction mechanism is provided. Reactions of V2O5H2 with several oxidants are also studied theoretically to find a path to regenerate V2O5. Neutral 3V2O5 can also react with C2H6 to form V2O5H2 and C2H4, but only as a minor reaction channel; the major product is the adsorption product V2O5(C2H6).
Increase in serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in pine voles, Microtus pinetorum, after induction of estrus and copulation

and reproductive behavior in microtine rodents. Pp. 197-217, in Mammalian olfaction, reproductive processes, and behavior (R. L. Doty, ed.). Academic Press, New York, 344 pp. RISSMAN, E. F., AND R. E. JOHNSTON. 1985. Female reproductive development is not activated by male California voles exposed to family cues. Biol. Reprod., 32:352-360. SCHADLER, M. H. 1981. Postimplantation abortion in pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) induced by strange males and pheromones of strange males. Biol. Reprod., 25:295-297. SOKAL, R. R., AND F. J. ROHLF. 1969. Biometry. W. H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 776 pp. STEHN, R. A., AND F. J. JANNETT. 1981. Male-induced abortion in various microtine rodents. J. Mamm., 62:295-297. STEHN, R. A., AND M. E. RICHMOND. 1975. Maleinduced pregnancy termination in the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster. Science, 187:1211-1213.
Telling run away: Novel testimony in toni cade Bambara's those bones are not my child

This essay on Toni Cade Bambara’s little-studied final novel, Those Bones Are Not My Child (1999), examines the centrality of the novel form to Bambara’s investigation of testimony as a response to racial violence in the United States. As a novel, Bambara’s account of the real-life case of Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered Children can house opposing methods of giving testimony—a mother finds her voice, a son suffers and exercises the power of his silence, and writer and reader conspire to witness without hope of conclusion—and call attention to the complications of playing representational roles in the context of racial injury. Those Bones thus points the way to a more complex notion of agency and a reformulated theory of testimony calibrated to the particular challenges of responding to historical and immediate violence against black Americans.
Spectral efficiency analysis in wireless heterogeneous networks

Heterogeneous cellular network has become an important network architecture to improve network capacity and spectral efficiency. This paper works on a theoretical framework for analyzing the system spectral efficiency in a heterogeneous network with different association schemes including best power and range expansion associations. Furthermore, a fractional frequency reuse scheme is applied to mitigate the inter-tier interference in a heterogeneous network. Proportional fair bandwidth allocation is used to balance the system spectral efficiency and user fairness. Numerical results show that range expansion with fractional frequency reuse can improve the system spectral efficiency significantly.
Overhead conductor thermal rating using neural networks

This paper presents a neural network approach for predicting dynamic thermal rating of high voltage transmission lines. For the integration of intermittent renewable energy, developing a reliable and accurate measurement tool is important to maximize power line utilization. In this research, distributed Power Donuts have been utilized to collect transmission line thermal and other related information. Along with environmental data such as wind speed and weather ambient temperature, this information has been used for training and testing of a neural network predictor. Due to the inherent non-linearity properties, predicting conductor thermal behavior is extremely complex and challenging. This paper proposes a novel method using a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) and Back Propagation (BP) neural network to predict the conductor thermal behavior. A FIR neural network introduces a short-term memory model, which can mimic the correlation between previous relevant data to the conductor temperature in near future. The BP neural network provides a supervised learning method to train the collected data and performs accurate prediction. A simulation toolkit is developed and experiments are conducted on data collected from real environments. The predicted values for up to one hour have been compared with the IEEE738 standard and the collected data from the power donuts. The outcome indicates accurate prediction and provides an alternative to the existing transmission line thermal measurement methodology.
Should an Anxious Parent Be Allowed to Be Present for the Induction of Anesthesia in Her Child

Two attending pediatric anesthesiologists are colleagues in a busy pediatric operating room. Although a departmental policy exists that permits parental presence during induction of anesthesia (PPIA) in a child, they have very differing views on the effectiveness of this intervention for decreasing child anxiety and improving cooperation during induction. Because of these differences in viewpoint, one anesthesiologist, Dr. John Friendly, frequently allows PPIA, while the other, Dr. Michael Firm, avoids it in almost every case.
Cannabinoid type 1 receptor-containing axons innervate NPY/AgRP neurons in the mouse arcuate nucleus.

Objectives Phytocannabinoids, such as THC and endocannabinoids, are well known to promote feeding behavior and to control energy metabolism through cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R). However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Generally, cannabinoid-conducted retrograde dis-inhibition of hunger-promoting neurons has been suggested to promote food intake, but so far it has not been demonstrated due to technical limitations.
Plastic deformation of Cu single crystals containing an elliptic cylindrical void

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the plastic deformation of Cu single crystals containing an elliptic cylindrical void. The effects of initial void geometry including void ellipticity and void orientation angle on plastic deformation are examined by considering the stress–strain response, dislocation nucleation from the void surface, and porosity/void cross-sectional shape evolution. It is found that (i) the initial void geometry plays an important role and (ii) the growth of voids with an increasing initial ellipticity converges to that of a crack. Our results reveal the underlying mechanisms of initial void ellipticity- and orientation angle-dependent plastic deformation of metallic solids, and provide direct evidence that there is no dividing line between a void and a crack in terms of the mechanical responses of these solids.
Myelosuppresive Effects of Interferon [slpha] and Transforming Growth Factor β Can Be Reversed by Novel p38 MAPK Inhibitor SD-282 through Inhibition of Cell Cycle Arrest.

Cytokines play important roles in the regulation of normal hematopoiesis and a balance between the actions of hematopoietic growth factors and myelosuppressive factors is required for optimal production of cells of different hematopoietic lineages. Even though the effects of Type I Interferons (IFNs α,β) and Transforming Growth Factor βs (TGF βs) as negative regulators of hematopoiesis are well documented, the exact molecular mechanisms by which such effects occur remain unknown. Our previous studies had shown that pharmacological inhibition of the p38 MAPK with commercially available inhibitors SB203580 and SB 202190 was able to reverse the myelosuppresion caused by IFN and TGF β. These inhibitors cannot be used in human studies due to toxicity and are also questioned for their selectivity in inhibiting the p38 MAPK. Thus, to confirm the role of p38 MAPK in regulating hematopoeisis, we conducted experiments with SD-282, a more potent and selective inhibitor of p38 α. SD-282 also performs very similarly in animal and cell models to a p38 inhibitor now in the clinic. Our results show that SD-282 is able to inhibit p38 MAPK selectively in primary human erythroid progenitors (at CFU-E stage of maturation) and suppress activation of downstream kinase MapKapK-2 after IFN α stimulation. In methycellulose clonogenic assays with mobilized CD34+ cells, IFN α treatment resulted in marked suppression of both erythroid (BFU-E) and myeloid (CFU-GM) colonies, which could be reversed in the presence of p38 inhibitor SD-282. In a similar manner TGF-β2 was not able to effectively inhibit both erythroid and myeloid colonies in the presence of p38 blockade by SD-282. In further studies, we demonstrate that the primary mechanism by which the p38 MAPK pathway mediates IFN mediated hematopoietic suppression is by regulation of cell cycle progression and is unrelated to induction of apoptosis. Treatment with p38 inhibitors led to significantly lesser numbers of cells in G0/G1 phase of cell cycle arrest induced by exposure to IFN α. Altogether, these findings confirm that the p38 MAPK signalling pathway is a common effector for type I IFN and TGF beta signaling in human hematopoietic progenitors and plays a critical role in the induction of the suppressive effects of these cytokines on normal hematopoiesis. Our studies also provide a rationale for the use of SD-282 and other p38 inhibitors in cytokine mediated hematological diseases.
LogitBoost autoregressive networks

Multivariate binary distributions can be decomposed into products of univariate conditional distributions. Recently popular approaches have modeled these conditionals through neural networks with sophisticated weight-sharing structures. It is shown that state-of-the-art performance on several standard benchmark datasets can actually be achieved by training separate probability estimators for each dimension. In that case, model training can be trivially parallelized over data dimensions. On the other hand, complexity control has to be performed for each learned conditional distribution. Three possible methods are considered and experimentally compared. The estimator that is employed for each conditional is LogitBoost. Similarities and differences between the proposed approach and autoregressive models based on neural networks are discussed in detail.
Rapid non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging for post appendectomy intra-abdominal abscess in children

Acute appendicitis, especially if perforated at presentation, is often complicated by postoperative abscess formation. The detection of a postoperative abscess relies primarily on imaging. This has traditionally been done with contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to accurately detect intra-abdominal abscesses, especially with the use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). To evaluate our single-center experience with a rapid non-contrast MRI protocol evaluating post-appendectomy abscesses in children with persistent postsurgical symptoms. In this retrospective, institutional review board-approved study, all patients underwent a clinically indicated non-contrast 1.5- or 3-Tesla abdomen/pelvis MRI consisting of single-shot fast spin echo, inversion recovery and DWI sequences. All MRI studies were reviewed by two blinded pediatric radiologists to identify the presence of a drainable fluid collection. Each fluid collection was further characterized as accessible or not accessible for percutaneous or transrectal drainage. Imaging findings were compared to clinical outcome. Seven of the 15 patients had a clinically significant fluid collection, and 5 of these patients were treated with percutaneous drain placement or exploratory laparotomy. The other patients had a phlegmon or a clinically insignificant fluid collection and were discharged home within 48 h. Rapid non-contrast MRI utilizing fluid-sensitive and DWI sequences can be used to identify drainable fluid collections in post-appendectomy patients. This protocol can be used to triage patients between conservative management vs. abscess drainage without oral/intravenous contrast or exposure to ionizing radiation.
The Drosophila Thioester containing Protein-4 participates in the induction of the cellular immune response to the pathogen Photorhabdus

The function of thioester-containing proteins (TEPs) in the immune defense of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is yet mostly unexplored. Recently, we showed the involvement of TEP4 in the activation of humoral and phenoloxidase immune responses of Drosophila against the pathogenic bacteria Photorhabdus luminescens and Photorhabdus asymbiotica. Here, we investigated the participation of Tep4 in the cellular defense of Drosophila against the two pathogens. We report significantly lower numbers of live and dead plasmatocytes in the tep4 mutants compared to control flies in response to Photorhabdus infection. We also find fewer crystal cells in the control flies than in tep4 mutants upon infection with Photorhabdus. Our results further suggest that Drosophila hemocytes constitute a major source for the transcript levels of Tep4 in flies infected by Photorhabdus. Finally, we show that Tep4 participates in the phagocytic function in Drosophila adult flies. Collectively our data support the protective role for TEP4 in the cellular immune response of Drosophila against the entomopathogen Photorhabdus.
Abstract TP183: Race/ethnic Differences in Social Network Characteristics Among Stroke Survivors

Family and friends have become increasingly responsible for providing informal care for stroke survivors. Studies have noted race/ethnic variation in caregiving of older adults and those with dementia or cancer, but few have described social networks of stroke survivors and examined network characteristics by race/ethnicity. As part of the Discharge Educational Strategies for Reduction of Vascular Events (DESERVE) trial, stroke/TIA patients were asked to identify up to 5 persons (“alters”) with whom they discuss important matters and provide information about each relationship. Network characteristics included median number of alters; having an alter in the same household, someone who talks with the participant every day, or with whom they discuss health concerns; relationship “closeness”; and having a family-only (vs. family and friend) network. Household composition was also recorded. Network characteristics were described overall and by race/ethnicity using frequencies and Wilcoxon rank-sum and Chi-square tests. Of the 500 study participants, most identified at least one alter (86%), 61% had an alter in their household, 88% talked to an alter every day, 82% were extremely/very close with all alters identified, 96% discuss health concerns with an alter, and 74% had a family-only network. Less than 27% lived alone, 21% with a spouse only, 15% with a non-spouse, and 38% with >1 person. NHBs and Hispanics were more likely than NHWs to identify no alters (19% and 16% vs. 8%, p=0.006) but talk to an alter every day (90% and 92% vs. 79%, p=0.007). NHWs were more likely to live in the same household as an alter than NHBs and Hispanics (67% vs. 53% and 59%, p=0.006). Hispanics had greater prevalence of having a family-only network than NHWs and NHBs (83% vs. 71% and 68%, p=0.014). NHWs were more likely to live with a spouse, while NHBs and Hispanics were more likely to live with a non-spouse or with >1 person (p
Borel Sets and Measures

Let (X,S) be a measurable space. A measure on (X,S) is a map µ: S → [0,∞] such that µ (O) = 0 and \(\mu \left( {\bigcup\nolimits_n {{A_n}} } \right) = {\Sigma _n}\mu \left( {{A_n}} \right)\)for any pairwise disjoint family {An} \(\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{ \subset } \)S. A measure space is a triple (X,S,µ), where (X,S) is a measurable space and µ is a measure on (X,S). We often write (X,µ) when there is no danger of confusion.
Elastic Metamaterials for Blast Wave Impact Mitigation

In the following chapter, two types of dissipative multi-resonator elastic metamaterials are considered for the broadband attenuation/mitigation of elastic waves. The first microstructural design consists of a triatomic mass-in-mass lattice where the influence of the internal damping amplitudes on broadband energy absorption is examined. The second metamaterial design considered is constructed from a sandwich beam containing multiple dissipative interior resonators. By utilizing the locally resonant motions of the internal resonant structures and intrinsic damping/viscoelastic properties of the metamaterial microstructure, broadband energy absorption can be clearly demonstrated for both microstructural designs. The underlying attenuation mechanisms in both designs are a negative effective mass and an effective metadamping coefficient that occur near the local resonant frequencies of the internal resonant masses. Based on these two working mechanisms, it is numerically demonstrated that the two metamaterial designs can strongly mitigate elastic waves over extremely broad frequency ranges at subwavelength scale. These elastic metamaterial designs have a wide range of potential applications including the suppression of blast or shock waves capable of severely damaging nearby structures.
PATHOGENS CAUSING EARLY ONSET SEPSIS

Introduction The choice of antibiotic treatment for early onset infection (EOI) must be driven by hospital specific guidelines, based on prevalent organism and their sensibility; thus it was decided to undertake this work to identify the most frequently causative bacterial agents as well as their sensibilities with usually prescribed antibiotics in our unit. Method The data included in this retrospective study integrate the positive results from blood culture and\or cerebrospinal liquid culture of 51 newborns in the first 7 days of life, suspected of EOI, between January 2000 and December 2005. Results The blood culture was positive in 96% of cases and for the study of LCR in 18%. The germs most frequently identified in the blood are SGB 14/49 (28, 57%), and E. coli 11/49 (22, 44%); however the Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) 27/49 (55, 10%) dominated slightly over Gram-positive cocci (GPC) 20/49 (40, 8%). Discussion As in developing countries, this study shows predominance of GNB over GPC, nevertheless, there was a marked progressive emergence of SGB. Conclusion While waiting for other studies, we recommended that third generation cephalosporin plus aminoglycoside be used as empiric coverage of EOI while culture results are ascertained.
Decentralized equalization for massive MU-MIMO on FPGA

Massive multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) relies on large antenna arrays that serve tens of user equipments in the same time-frequency resource. The presence of hundreds of antenna elements and radio-frequency (RF) chains at the base station (BS) enables high spectral efficiency via fine-grained beamforming, but poses significant practical implementation challenges. In particular, conventional linear equalization algorithms used in the massive MU-MIMO uplink (users transmit to the BS), such as zero-forcing, typically require centralized architectures, which cause excessively high computational complexity and interconnect bandwidth between the baseband processing unit and the RF chains. In order to mitigate the complexity and bandwidth bottlenecks, we propose a VLSI design of a decentralized feed-forward architecture and a parallel equalization algorithm relying on large-MIMO approximate message passing (LAMA). We use high-level synthesis (HLS) to develop the VLSI architecture and provide corresponding FPGA implementation results. Our results demonstrate that the proposed decentralized LAMA equalizer achieves competitive performance and complexity as existing centralized solutions that have been designed on register-transfer level.
Gain in polycrystalline Nd-doped alumina: leveraging length scales to create a new class of high-energy, short pulse, tunable laser materials

Traditionally accepted design paradigms dictate that only optically isotropic (cubic) crystal structures with high equilibrium solubilities of optically active ions are suitable for polycrystalline laser gain media. The restriction of symmetry is due to light scattering caused by randomly oriented anisotropic crystals, whereas the solubility problem arises from the need for sufficient active dopants in the media. These criteria limit material choices and exclude materials that have superior thermo-mechanical properties than state-of-the-art laser materials. Alumina (Al2O3) is an ideal example; it has a higher fracture strength and thermal conductivity than today’s gain materials, which could lead to revolutionary laser performance. However, alumina has uniaxial optical proprieties, and the solubility of rare earths (REs) is two-to-three orders of magnitude lower than the dopant concentrations in typical RE-based gain media. We present new strategies to overcome these obstacles and demonstrate gain in a RE-doped alumina (Nd:Al2O3) for the first time. The key insight relies on tailoring the crystallite size to other important length scales—the wavelength of light and interatomic dopant distances, which minimize optical losses and allow successful Nd doping. The result is a laser gain medium with a thermo-mechanical figure of merit of Rs~19,500 Wm−1 a 24-fold and 19,500-fold improvements over the high-energy-laser leaders Nd:YAG (Rs~800 Wm−1) and Nd:Glass (Rs~1 Wm−1), respectively. Moreover, the emission bandwidth of Nd:Al2O3 is broad: ~13 THz. The successful demonstration of gain and high bandwidth in a medium with superior Rs can lead to the development of lasers with previously unobtainable high-peak powers, short pulses, tunability, and high-duty cycles. Transparent ceramics doped with rare-earth atoms have mechanical properties that may help surpass outputs of conventional solid-state lasers. Because laser power is a function of a materials’ thermal conductivity and shock resistance, researchers have investigated robust sapphire crystals as potential platforms for high-energy lasers. Javier Garay and co-workers at the University of California San Diego now report a process that uses elevated heating and cooling rates to incorporate neodymium dopants into sapphire to achieve, optical gain which is necessary for laser amplification. The technique relies on fabricating ceramics composed of nanoscale crystallites, smaller than the laser light wavelength. These nanostructures reduce unwanted light scattering from sapphire’s naturally asymmetric atomic structure, and ensure even dopant distribution. The large, tunable bandwidth of the new sapphire laser could aid applications needing ultra-short, high-power pulses.
On the Bitplane Compression of Microarray Images

The microarray image technology is a new and powerful tool for studying the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. Methods for image processing and statistical analysis are still under development, and results on microarray data from different sources are therefore rarely comparable. The urgent need for data formats and standards is recognized by researchers in the field. To facilitate the development of such standards, methods for efficient data sharing and transmission are necessary, that is compression. Microarray images come in pairs: two high precision 16 bits per pixel intensity scans (“red” and “green”). The genetic information is extracted from the two scans via segmentation, background correction and normalization of red-to-green image intensities. We present a compression scheme for microarray images that is based on an extension of the JPEG2000 lossless standard, used in conjunction with a robust L1 vector quantizer. The L1 vector quantizer is trained on microarray image data from a replicate experiment. Thus, the image pairs are encoded jointly. This ensures that the genetic information extraction is only marginally affected by the compression at compression ratios 8:1.
SOME REMARKS ON A THEOREM OF KOLMOGOROV

Publisher Summary This chapter presents two remarks related to the result due to Kolmogorov that if Γ(m,n) is a nonnegative definite function from N × N to C, then there exists a sequence {xn, n ∈ N} in a Hilbert space H such that Γ(m,n) = (xm, xn)H. The first remark is a theorem holding for nonnegative definite functions from T × T to C, where T is an arbitrary index set. Applications are given to Hilbert-valued measures. The second remark applies to separable Hausdorff spaces T, continuous nonnegative definite functions Γ from T × T to C, and separable Hilbert spaces H, and it provides a direct construction of a continuous H-valued function x on T. The second remark was suggested to one of the authors by P. Masani.
Electrical treatment of coma via the median nerve.

The median nerve is a portal to interact with the injured comatose brain. Peripheral nerve electrical stimulation has a central nervous system effect. Two to three weeks of right median nerve stimulation (RMNS) can hasten awakening from deep coma by increasing the dopamine levels. Three cases of electrically treated GCS-4 teenagers with acute diffuse brain injuries from motor vehicle crashes are presented by video. Pilot studies of RMNS for acute post-traumatic coma states have been done over the last ten years at East Carolina University and the University of Virginia. The neurophysiological effects of RMNS have been well documented at several neurosurgical centers in Japan using neuroimaging and spinal fluid assays. RMNS is a safe, inexpensive, non-invasive therapy for neuroresuscitation of coma patients. When employed early in the coma, the time in the ICU may be shortened and the quality of the final outcome may be enhanced.
Covering cliques with spanning bicliques

The edges of the complete graph on n vertices can be covered by ⌈lg n⌉ spanning complete bipartite subgraphs. However, the sum of the number of edges in these subgraphs is roughly (n2-4)lg n, while a cover consisting of n - 1 spanning stars uses only (n - 1)2 edges. We will show that the covering by spanning stars has the smallest total number of edges among all coverings of the clique by spanning complete bipartite subgraphs, except when n is 4 or 8. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 27: 223–227, 1998
More to Neural Induction Than Inhibition of BMPs

Publisher Summary In Xenopus, the release from the inhibitory, epidermal inducing signal bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) by antagonizing secreted factors such as chordin, noggin, and follistatin, or by simple cell dissociation, seems to be sufficient to make ectodermal cells develop into neural tissue. Several lines of evidence in amniotes suggest a much higher degree of complexity. In the chick, inhibition of the BMP signaling pathway does not lead to neural differentiation, nor can BMPs prevent initial induction. However, antagonism between BMP-4 and chordin seems to play a role in controlling the extent of the neural plate once it is formed. In contrast with Xenopus, where dissociation of animal caps leads to formation of neural ectoderm, dissociation of early chick epiblast from a variety of stages does not elicit neural differentiation, but rather causes an increase in the proportion of cells that differentiate into skeletal muscle. Unlike in Xenopus, where overexpression of the BMP-4 antagonist chordin results in the formation of anterior neural tissue, misexpression of chordin in the nonneural epiblast of the area pellucida or the inner margin of the area opaca of the chick embryo does not elicit the formation of a neural plate or expression of neural markers. Therefore, chordin on its own cannot mimic a graft of the organizer in either region.
Understanding Human Error and Aiding Human Diagnostic Behaviour in Nuclear Power Plants

Human operators in nuclear power plants have a frustrating job, fraught with dilemmas. On the one hand they take on a terrible responsibility to protect the public from risk of exposure to radiation; on the other hand they are paid to keep the turbines rolling and to avoid outage, so as to make money for their employer. On the one hand they are expected to follow explicit rules and regulations laid out by both their employer and the government regulatory body; on the other hand they are expected to be resourceful human beings, ready to. add their intelligence and common sense where purely automatic operation fails. On the one hand they are judged by their peers according to their speed of decision and action; on the other hand they know that they might best leave their hands in their pockets and count to 100 if a real emergency were to occur. They are aware that under the stress of such emergencies, their judgement may not be reliable; yet there is the danger that they will err on the side of assuming observed abnormalities are not serious, and not take the appropriate emergency action. They know the critical reason they are there is to take over in rapidly changing situations; but they know they may not be up to it.
Energy modeling and analysis of inherent air leakage from parallel fan-powered terminal units using EMS in EnergyPlus

Abstract Parallel fan-powered terminal units (FPTUs) are widely considered more energy efficient compared with series FPTUs because of the intermittent terminal unit fan operation. Recent studies found that the energy savings potential of parallel FPTUs may be overestimated due to the primary air leakage through the backdraft dampers when terminal unit fans are not operating. However, the lack of an effective modeling approach in building simulation programs has prevented the thorough investigation of how the primary air leakage from parallel FPTUs affects the energy consumption of variable air volume (VAV) systems. In this paper, a modeling approach was developed and implemented in EnergyPlus using the Energy Management System (EMS) for the comparative analysis of energy impact of primary air leakage from parallel FPTUs. A series of building energy simulations were also conducted at four air leakage levels under five different U.S. climates. Although the percentage energy increases caused by the primary air leakage vary with local climates and leakage levels, simulation results show consistent increases in the energy consumption of central cooling coil, central supply fan, and FPTU supplemental heating throughout all the climates as the air leakage level increases. Compared with series FPTUs, the energy savings potential of parallel units significantly decreases as air leakage level increases. At the highest air leakage level of 15% simulated in this study, series FPTUs may use less energy than parallel FPTUs.
Trace impurity analysis in uranium oxide via hybrid quantification techniques—gravimetric standard addition and isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Measurement methods for the analysis of trace impurities in uranium materials, essential in nuclear fuel production and nuclear forensics, are continuously improving. Analytical methods were developed with the goal of lowering uncertainties of next generation certified uranium oxide reference materials for trace impurity concentrations. Through addition of a traceable standard directly into the sample, gravimetric standard addition and isotope dilution followed by analysis on an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer can achieve lower uncertainties. Results for 28 impurities in CRM 124-1 and 124-6 from NBL Program Office were used for validation of accuracy and comparisons of uncertainties.
Randomized Quality Improvement Trial of Opting-In Versus Opting-Out to Increase Influenza Vaccination Rates during Pregnancy.

Introduction Despite strong recommendations, only 40.6% of pregnant women attending two prenatal clinics were vaccinated against influenza during the 2009 pandemic. We tested whether an opting-out approach would improve vaccine uptake. Methods We conducted a randomized quality improvement (QI) trial to compare opting-out with conventional opting-in consent for influenza immunization. Women age ≥ 18 years attending the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) or UT-Medical Branch (UTMB) prenatal clinics during the 2010–2011 influenza season, were eligible. Results We enrolled 280 women (140 UTHealth, 140 UTMB). Both groups had similar mean age (26.0 ± 5.5 years), mean gestational age (19.4 ± 9.5 weeks), and percent with underlying health conditions (20.7%). Vaccination rates with opting-in and opting-out were similar among all (83 vs. 84%), UTHealth (87 vs. 93%), and UTMB patients (79 vs.76%) (p > 0.05). In subsamples of patients assessed, consent strategy did not significantly affect maternal recall of information provided. Conclusion While prenatal influenza vaccination uptake doubled from the 2009–2010 influenza season, opting-out did not perform better than opting-in, a conclusion opposite that we would have reached had this been a nonconcurrent trial. Vaccination rates dropped posttrial; hence, continued research is needed to increase the prenatal influenza immunizations.
7 Case Reports, Editorials, Letters to the Editor, Book Reviews, and Other Publication Models

Several writing models yield products with fewer pages than the typical review article. This does not mean that they are any easier to write or to get published. All submissions will be reviewed, either by peers or a knowledgeable editor, and there is the inevitable competition for space in every journal. However, for many clinicians and academicians, the case report, book review, or practice tip may turn out to be the pathway to an early taste of printer’s ink and an entry on their curriculum vitae. Each of the models described has different characteristics, requirements, and opportunities to triumph or flounder.
Surface Flow Visualization of the High-Lift Common Research Model

A 10% scale version of the High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) was tested in the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14x22) in support of the NASA Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT) Project. The CRM-HL experiment included various configurations such as conventional and simple-hinged flaps, with and without engine nacelle/pylon, with and without nacelle chine, different Active Flow Control (AFC) methods (sweeping jets, alternating pulsed jets, and preconditioned boundary layer blowing), and their various parameters. This particular study is focused on the surface flow visualization of the conventional CRM-HL model at landing configuration. The conventional CRM-HL model with the single-slotted Fowler flap system serves as a baseline for the AFC-enabled simplified high-lift configuration as well as a high-lift technology development platform due to its publicly open geometry. Surface flow visualizations were performed using fluorescent minitufts, which were found to be nonintrusive to the aerodynamic performance. Tuft flow visualizations are supplemented with the relevant pressure and force measurements in order to understand the flow characteristics developed on the conventional CRM- HL model. In addition, three dimensional, unsteady, compressible Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed for selective cases. The surface streamlines and transverse velocity fluctuations obtained by the CFD simulations are qualitatively compared to the tuft direction and tuft unsteadiness, respectively. Force measurements of the CRM-HL model show performance degradation at higher angles of attack. Surface flow visualizations revealed the performance loss due to the nacelle/pylon wake that grows with angle of attack and eventually promotes flow separation over the inboard wing. This performance loss was successfully recovered by placing a chine on the engine nacelle.
Consequences of isolated critical monomer sequence errors for the hydrolysis behaviors of sequenced degradable polyesters

Despite the known sensitivity to sequence mutations of biological polymers, little is known about the effects of errors in sequenced synthetic copolymers. The degradation behaviors of copolyesters, for example, are known to depend on monomer-by-monomer order, yet the contribution of isolated monomer substitutions on hydrolysis behaviors has not been studied. We have developed a synthetic method in which precise quantities of a critical sequence error are doped into a sequenced polyester and studied how hydrolysis behaviors are affected by this distinct and potent sequence-error. The degradation rate proved tolerant to substitutions up to 1% of the monomers but accelerated significantly when the error population was larger.
Design and Construction of a Prototype Device, for Measurement of Environmental Variables in a Unit of Critical Patients, in Health Institutions.

The article makes an analysis of how environmental conditions have been studied, and how they affect patients in Critical Patient Units (UPC), in order to determine the importance of these physical variables in health care. A general device model is established as the basis for choosing suitable sensors for the system to be created. And the device for measuring environmental conditions for UPC rooms with the chosen sensors is developed; which contemplates an interface using the Android platform with Bluetooth protocol. For tests, the UPC environment is simulated in a Laboratory to carry out the measurements. The results of the measurements are obtained, and compared with the reference values to determine the accuracy of the device. The project responded to the requirements raised, and will serve as the basis for generating a new feasible marketing team.
Diagnostic performance of PET/CT and PET/MR in the management of ovarian carcinoma—a literature review

Ovarian cancer is a challenging disease. It often presents at an advanced stage with frequent recurrence despite optimal management. Accurate staging and restaging are critical for improving treatment outcomes and determining the prognosis. Imaging is an indispensable component of ovarian cancer management. Hybrid imaging modalities, including positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are emerging as potential non-invasive imaging tools for improved management of ovarian cancer. This review article discusses the role of PET/CT and PET/MRI in ovarian cancer.
Effects of the ABCB1 c.3435C>T (rs1045642) Polymorphism on Heat Pain Perception in Opioid-Free Adults With Chronic Pain.

Background The adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette, subfamily B, member 1 gene (ABCB1) encodes P-glycoprotein (P-gp) that influences the intracellular transport of solutes including endogenous opioid peptides. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of the ABCB1 polymorphism c.3435C>T (rs10454642) on heat pain (HP) perception in a group of opioid-free adults with chronic pain. Methods Opioid-free adults with chronic pain consecutively admitted to a pain rehabilitation program comprised the study cohort (N = 134). Individuals were genotyped for the c.3435C>T (rs10454642) polymorphism. The polymorphism was analyzed with nonparametric tests using a dominant (cytosine-cytosine [CC] versus cytosine-thymine [CT] + thymine-thymine [TT]) and recessive (CC + CT versus TT) model of allele effects. Quantitative sensory testing was performed using the Computer Aided Sensory Evaluator IV system. Results The distribution of genotypes was 22% (N = 29) for CC, 45% (N = 60) for CT, and 33% (N = 45) for TT (Hardy-Weinberg, P > .1). A significant association was observed between the recessive model and HP threshold. Standardized values of HP threshold were significantly greater in the TT group than the CC + CT group (median difference, -0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.49 to -0.23; P = .005), and the effect size estimate was small (Cliff delta = 0.30). In the dominant model, no significant difference in HP threshold was observed between the CC and CT + TT groups (median difference, -0.45; 95% CI, -1.15 to 0.00; P = .108). Conclusions These results posit that the efflux of endogenous opioid peptides is reduced in individuals with the TT genotype due to lower expression of P-gp, which, in turn, results in higher HP threshold. This study contributes to the emerging understanding of how the ABCB1 c.3435C>T polymorphism contributes to pain perception in opioid-free adults with chronic pain and provides the foundation for investigating the potential effects of this polymorphism on the clinical course of chronic pain.
FIELD PERFORMANCE OF MAJOR AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS MADE OF NYLON

Nylon automotive parts, representing all major areas of the car, were evaluated for field performance after a service life ranging from 2 to 10 years in regular production vehicles. Parts covering nine applications were checked for appearance, relative viscosity, tensile strength and elongation. Results indicate that all parts retained good resin quality, even after years of exposure to the harsh under-hood environment of high heat and thrown gravel and the corrosive action of automotive fluids, gasoline vapor and road salt. Although a dimensional check was conducted on only four of the nine applications, the readings indicate good tolerance retention.
What Are the Great Discoveries of Your Field? Informal Comments on the Contributions of Ethnomusicology

This is an attempt to sketch some of the principal discoveries or contributions of the field of ethnomusicology since 1885. These include consideration of the world of music as comprised of musics, the origin of music, universals, the study of music in culture, the relationship of composition and improvisation, the issue of authenticity, and the practical contributions of ethnomusicology to education and social life.