cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A twin study of cholinergic REM induction

Seven monozygotic twin pairs were found to display concordance for sensitivity to REM sleep induction by arecoline (intraclass correlation (ri) of 0.69, F = 5.35, p less than 0.02). The REM1-REM2 interval on the placebo night did not show significant concordance (ri = 0.05, F = 1.11, p = 0.44). Our previous study suggested that increased sensitivity to the muscarinic agonist arecoline, as measured by time to onset of the second REM period during sleep, may be an indicator of vulnerability to affective disorder. The present finding of twin concordance in response to arecoline suggests genetic variation in sensitivity of CNS muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Such increased sensitivity may play an etiologic role in affective disorder.
Johann Friedrich Horner and the Repeated Discovery of Oculosympathoparesis: Whose Syndrome Is It?

Disruption of cranial sympathetic tone leads to the symptom complex of miosis, ptosis, and hemifacial anhidrosis. It is widely believed that this phenomenon was discovered in 1869 by the Swiss ophthalmologist Johann Friedrich Horner, and as a result, the term Horner syndrome has become synonymous with the clinical presentation. However, the syndrome that would become Horner syndrome had actually been described several times before his report. Francois Pourfour du Petit documented the ocular effects of sympathetic trunk lesions in animal studies in 1727. Claude Bernard identified the full clinical triad in animal studies in 1852, and as a result, the condition is sometimes called Bernard syndrome. There were also 2 previous reports of ptosis and miosis resulting from sympathetic nerve damage in humans: 1 by Edward Selleck Hare in 1838 associated with brachial plexus tumor, and the other by Silas Weir Mitchell in 1864 associated with a gunshot wound to the neck. Although Horner was the first to objectively characterize the co-occurrence of vasomotor and ocular changes in a human patient, he did not identify the etiology of the condition, discuss its relationship to the sympathetic nervous system, or reference any of the previous studies in animals or humans. It is possible that a lack of familiarity with previous investigations delayed the full appreciation of the mechanism underlying this disorder.
Barriers to Change: Findings from Three Literacy Professional Learning Initiatives.

ABSTRACTIn this article, we describe lessons learned from three separate literacy professional learning initiatives that took place in elementary schools in three different locations: high-poverty urban, medium-poverty rural, and low-poverty suburban. The professional learning initiatives were also diverse in scope: one was a three-year, school-wide partnership; one was a multiyear collaboration with two teachers; and one was intensive coaching of an individual teacher. Each initiative was (a) informed by previous research on literacy professional learning, (b) grounded in social constructivism, and (c) a design-based research study. Through collaborative analysis of data, we discovered shared barriers that impeded each of the initiatives from promoting substantial change. We suggest ways to improve literacy professional learning to better increase the odds of success and lasting change in literacy instruction.
Real-time Robot Path Planning Using Experience Learning From Common Obstacle Patterns: (Extended Abstract)

In this paper we investigate the problem of online robot path planning in an environment. Our main hypothesis in this paper is that the path planning times for a robot can be significantly reduced if it can refer to previous maneuvers it used to avoid collisions with common obstacles during earlier missions, and adapt that information to avoid obstacles during its current navigation. To verify this hypothesis, we propose an online path planning algorithm called LearnerRRT. Our algorithm utilizes a pattern matching technique called Sample Consensus Initial Alignment (SAC-IA) in combination with an experience based learning technique to adapt to the current scenario. We have conducted several experiments in simulations to verify the performance of LearnerRRT and compared it with a sampling-based planner Informed RRT*. Our results show that LearnerRRT performs much better than Informed RRT* in terms of planning time and total time to solve a given navigation task. When navigation times and distances traveled are explicitly compared, LearnerRRT takes slightly more navigation time and distance than Informed RRT*.
Leadership at the Twilight of Progressivism: Mario Cuomo’s Defense of Liberalism in Two Speeches in the Summer of 1984

Within a 60-day period in the summer of 1984, New York governor Mario M. Cuomo delivered two of the most comprehensive and important speeches in defense of liberalism in America in the last 30 years. They arguably represent, in tandem, the most proximate statements of Democratic Party progressivism in the twilight of that political thought’s influence in the last quarter of the twentieth century. The speeches reflect a hearkening back to more traditional Democratic Party politics built upon urban, ethnic, and labor-based constituencies—groups at the heart of the New Deal coalition that began to unravel in the mid-to-late 1900s. It is Cuomo’s Hudson progressive pedigree and his rhetorical objections to Reaganism most specifically, and to conservatism, more broadly, that are the focus of this chapter.
Chapter 21 – The Field Theory

In picoscopic modeling, drivers are modeled as an intelligent agent who is able to gather information from his or her driving environment and make a decision to achieve his or her goals—for example, traveling to the destination on the preferred route at the desired speed while avoiding hazards. The outputs of the driver model are driving decisions, including steering, accelerating, and braking, which, in turn, can be represented by acceleration in the longitudinal and lateral directions. To serve this purpose, this chapter introduces a generic modeling approach, called the field theory of traffic flow, that represents everything in the environment as a field perceived by the subject driver whose mission is to achieve his or her goals by navigating through the overall field.
Current Update on Foot and Ankle Arthroscopy.

This issue of Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of various foot and ankle conditions with arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopic surgery of the foot and ankle can be used for a wide spectrum of soft tissue and osseous abnormality, including ankle ligamentous repair and ankle arthrodesis. This issue covers in detail the arthroscopic anatomy,medical imaging, andmost common instrumentation utilized in arthroscopic surgery. A variety of topics from repair of posterior ankle impingement and lateral ankle stabilization to repair of talar osteochondral lesions and ankle arthrodesis are very well reviewed by our guest editor, Dr Grambart, and invited authors. A thorough preoperative history, physical examination, and medical imaging along with proper understanding of anatomic landmarks and portals, surgical patient positioning, type of anesthesia, and knowledge of arthroscopic instrumentation are paramount for the patient’s overall successful outcome. In conclusion, I would like to thank our guest editor, Dr Grambart, invited authors, editorial board, and all of our readers for their outstanding submissions and continuous support of Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.
Synthesis of Half-Sphere/Half-Funnel-Shaped Silica Structures by Reagent Localization and the Role of Water in Shape Control.

Shape control of silica structures is demonstrated by localization of the reagents. A uniform dispersion of reagents provided straight silica rods, while localization of the reagents in the emulsion droplet periphery provided a new type of structures—half sphere-half funnel. The effect of water concentration appeared to be related to the ease of diffusion of silica precursor inside the emulsion droplet (i.e., the higher the water concentration, the lower the silica precursor diffusion).
Short and long term outcomes with robotic assisted esophagectomy.

125Background: Surgical resection remains piviotal in the management of patients with esophageal cancer. Minimally invasive esophagectomy(MIE) has demonstrated superior operative outcomes compared to the open approaches. Robotic assistance has potential to further improve outcomes, however the long-term follow with this technique is lacking. Methods: Utilizing the National Cancer Database we identified patients who underwent esophagectomy and stratified by approach: open (OE), laparoscopic (LE) or robotic (RE). Baseline comparisons were made for continuous variables using both the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis as appropriate. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method comparing survival curves with the log-rank test. All statistical tests were two-sided and α (type I) error < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: We identified 18,869 patients who underwent esophagectomy with a mean age of 65 ± 10 years. There w...
Surface Wave Effects on the Translation of Wind Stress across the Air–Sea Interface in a Fetch-Limited, Coastal Embayment

AbstractThe role of surface gravity waves in structuring the air–sea momentum flux is examined in the middle reaches of Chesapeake Bay. Observed wave spectra showed that wave direction in Chesapeake Bay is strongly correlated with basin geometry. Waves preferentially developed in the direction of maximum fetch, suggesting that dominant wave frequencies may be commonly and persistently misaligned with local wind forcing. Direct observations from an ultrasonic anemometer and vertical array of ADVs show that the magnitude and direction of stress changed across the air–sea interface, suggesting that a stress divergence occurred at or near the water surface. Using a numerical wave model in combination with direct flux measurements, the air–sea momentum flux was partitioned between the surface wave field and the mean flow. Results indicate that the surface wave field can store or release a significant fraction of the total momentum flux depending on the direction of the wind. When wind blew across dominant fetc...
First Metacarpal Base Fractures

Fractures about the base of the thumb are common injuries often sustained after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Extra-articular fractures can often be treated without surgery due to a high tolerance of angulation due to the hypermobility of the carpometacarpal joint. Bennett fractures are intra-articular fractures at the base of the thumb metacarpal with a stable volar-ulnar fragment known as the Bennett fragment. Rolando fractures are Bennett fractures with intra-articular comminution. Both Bennett and Rolando fractures are inherently unstable and often require stabilization either with closed reduction and pinning or open reduction and internal fixation.
Surveying the Expanding Cyberscape of New and Evolving Digital Learning Technologies —A Review of Recent Advances in Three Creative Focus Areas of Digital Learning Design and Development Impacting the Field of Education

This article presents an overview and review of recent advances in digital teaching and learning technologies—advances that collectively represent an emergent period of breakthrough “digital innovation” leadership in the field of education. These digital education technologies are creating new career learning and advancement opportunities for people around the world through expanding and enhancing their access to globally connected learning. Three specific “creative focus areas” of digital learning design and development are identified for review. The article includes a discussion of salient features and design thrusts of major research, development, and practical application activities currently being conducted within each creative focus area. Some of the most innovative learning programs being developed by researchers, designers, and education leaders engaged within each of these creative focus areas are highlighted, along with an assessment of the impact of these programs on educational practice.
New clinical paradigms for treating and preventing antiplatelet gastrointestinal bleeding.

Purpose of review To quantify antiplatelet-related gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), characterize patients at greatest risk and summarize risk-management strategies emphasizing evolving knowledge in acute management of antiplatelet-related bleeding. Recent findings New paradigms for acute management of antiplatelet-related GIB exist in the domains of resuscitation and the transfusion of blood products, strategic use of proton pump therapy and identification and eradication of Helicobacter pylori. This review will also highlight the importance of prompt resumption of cardiac aspirin and dual antiplatelet therapy following endoscopic hemostasis to minimize the risk of future cardiac events. Summary This review will provide pragmatic strategies for the management of acute antiplatelet-related GIB. Emerging areas of clinical knowledge will be addressed and knowledge gaps requiring further research to inform clinical practice will be highlighted.
Gut Microbiome Composition Predicts Infection Risk During Chemotherapy in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Background: Myelosuppression-related infections remain important causes of morbidity and mortality in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods: By analyzing fecal samples collected at diagnosis and after each of the initial 3 phases of chemotherapy, we evaluated the role of gut microbiota in predicting infections in 199 children with newly diagnosed ALL. The bacterial 16S rRNA gene was analyzed by high-depth sequencing to determine the diversity and composition of the microbiome. Results: After the induction and reinduction I phases of chemotherapy, microbial diversity decreased significantly relative to the prechemotherapy value. After chemotherapy, the relative abundance of certain bacterial taxa (eg, Bacteroidetes) decreased significantly, whereas that of other taxa (eg, Clostridiaceae and Streptococcaceae) increased. A baseline gut microbiome characterized by Proteobacteria predicted febrile neutropenia. Adjusting for the chemotherapy phase and ALL risk level, Enterococcaceae dominance (relative abundance ≥30%) predicted significantly greater risk of subsequent febrile neutropenia and diarrheal illness, whereas Streptococcaceae dominance predicted significantly greater risk of subsequent diarrheal illness. Conclusions: In children undergoing therapy for newly diagnosed ALL, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria before chemotherapy initiation predicts development of febrile neutropenia, and domination of the gut microbiota by Enterococcaceae or Streptococcaceae at any time during chemotherapy predicts infection in subsequent phases of chemotherapy. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT00549848.
Sexual behavior and condom use among urban low-income African-American and Hispanic youth.

Low income, urban, African-American, and Hispanic youth have been identified as a group for which there is concern about the spread of HIV. Using data from a household probability sample of 1,435 minority youth aged 15 to 24 in Detroit, this paper evaluates levels of sexual activity, condom use, and reasons for condom use and non-use. Comparisons with national samples of minority youth indicated that Detroit low-income youth have similar patterns of sexual behavior to national samples, although males and African-American females began their sexual experiences earlier and were less likely to have used condoms or other protection from pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at first intercourse. Recent levels of condom use also left many Detroit youth unprotected from STDs. Less than half used a condom at least intercourse in the last year with nonmarital partners that they "knew well." In addition, condom use with partners that they "did not know well" was very low for Hispanic youth: Among those who had at least one casual partner in the last year, only 30% to 33% had ever used a condom with that partner. Analysis of reasons for use indicate that both pregnancy prevention and disease prevention were important motivations for condom use. However, many youth did not use condoms for reasons such as unavailability of condoms or unplanned sex.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: A Novel Method to Predict and Improve Outcomes.

Background In some upper eyelid blepharoplasties, maximal skin removal may not result in desired outcomes; raising crease height can therefore be considered. Currently, there is no method to determine the amount of skin to be excised and/or crease elevation required to achieve a specific outcome. Objective This study extrapolated an equation to determine amount of skin excision and/or lid crease elevation needed to achieve a specific eyelid margin to fold distance (MFD). Methods This institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant study was a prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. Patients were included if aged 30 to 100 years old and underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty with one surgeon between 2012 and 2014. Exclusion criteria were thyroid eye disease, myasthenia gravis, myotonic dystrophy, pregnancy, blepharoptosis, prior eyelid surgery or trauma, concurrent brow surgery, and topical alpha-agonists. The following data were collected preoperatively and at postoperative months 1 and 6: age, gender, BMI, brow position, MFD, margin to crease distance (distance between eyelid margin and crease, MCD), and vertical skin distance (distance between eyelid margin and brow, VSD). Results A total 322 eyelids of 164 patients underwent 208 skin excisions, 26 crease elevations, and 88 combined skin excision and crease elevation. Age, gender, and BMI category were all nonsignificant and excluded from the final model. This equation was extrapolated with regression analysis: Change in MFD = -0.40 + (-0.28 × Change VSD) + (0.53 × Change MCD) with |R| = 0.28. Conclusion To better predict and obtain desired upper eyelid blepharoplasty outcomes, the authors created an equation. Level of Evidence 4
Heat equation asymptotics for singular Sturm-Liouville operators

Soit a∈C ∞ (R) a valeur reelle et l'expression differentielle #7B-T:=-d x 2 +a(x)/(x 2 )(1−x) 2 =:−d x 2 +a(x) dans I:=(0,1). Si a(i)≥−1/4, i=0,1, l'extension de Friedrichs T de #7B-T/C 0 ∞ (I) existe dans L 2 (I) et a un spectre ponctuel pur. On etudie le developpement asymptotique de tr exp(−sT) quand s→0+
Epidermal Keratin: Filaments and Matrix

The terminally differentiated stratum corneum cells of mammalian epidermis consist largely of a tough thickened cell membrane and are filled with an insoluble disulphide-bond cross-linked proteinaceous complex, keratin. Ultrastructural studies have revealed that keratin consists of a two component system: filaments (tonofilaments=keratin filaments) that are 7–9 nm wide and an amorphous interfilamentous matrix, the protein of which is thought to derive from keratohyalin [6, 21]. The keratin filaments of the stratum corneum usually appear as lighter-staining rods or circles (or occasionally as annuli) against the darker-staining osmiophilic matrix. This image is referred to as the “keratin pattern” [6]. More recent in vitro biochemical experiments have adduced support for this two component keratin complex. Mixing of keratin filaments reconstituted in vitro with a cationic histidine-rich protein (filaggrin) isolated from stratum corneum cells results in the formation of large insoluble fibrous structures, termed macrofibrils, which consist of many filaments aligned in parallel arrays reminiscent of the keratin pattern of the stratum corneum [9, 37].
Has CPD been as Effective as Hemodialysis

Since its inception in 1976(1), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and its variants CCPD and APD have progressively developed into accepted ESRD treatment modalities. By the end of 1987 over 40,000 patients worldwide were maintained on this form of therapy, representing nearly 20% of all dialysis patients(2). Marked variations exist in the application of CPD with less than 10% of patients in Japan, Germany and Italy on this modality compared to over 40% of patients in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, Venezuela and Mexico. In the United States 17% of patients were on CPD at the end of 1987(2).
Replacing targeted compassion with multidimensional compassion: an essential paradigm shift to achieve sustainability

We are in the midst of a national, arguably global, debate about hunting and other means of controlling populations of deer and other animals that have greatly exceeded the carrying capacity of local and regional habitat. At one extreme are those who feel that, since humans have eliminated the large, natural predators, we are obligated to keep game species in balance with their environment. At the other extreme are those who value the lives of individual wild creatures and seek to prevent their destruction. Keeping in balance with nature is the essence of sustainability. This would permit the largest number of humans to occupy the planet over a long period of time. Properly managed sustainability should concomitantly make the planet more habitable for other species. The position taken in this discussion is that targeted compassion is inappropriate for sustainable use of the planet because it will not leave a habitable world for future generations.
Family Preservation, Poverty, and the Value of Diversity:

The role of family preservation services in preventing out-of-home placement of children is a hot topic in the social service arena. Family preservation has much to offer as an organizing framework...
Mobile Device Use Among Rural, Low-Income Families and the Feasibility of an App to Encourage Preschoolers' Physical Activity: Qualitative Study.

Background: As mobile devices are becoming ubiquitous, technology-based interventions provide a promising strategy to positively influence health behaviors of families with young children. However, questions remain about the feasibility and acceptability of intervention delivery via mobile apps in low-income, rural settings and among families with preschoolers. Objective: The aims of this study were to understand the content and context of mobile device use for preschoolers; explore parent beliefs on this topic, including the acceptability of intervention delivery via mobile devices; and test a prototype of an app to encourage preschoolers’ physical activity with both parents and children. Methods: Parents (n=29) were recruited from 5 preschool centers in eastern, rural Colorado to complete a semistructured telephone interview regarding preschoolers’ mobile device use. A second sample of parents (n=31) was recruited from the same preschool centers to view the app prototype independently and provide feedback. A third sample of preschool children (n=24) was videotaped using the app in small groups to measure engagement and record their responses to the app. Results: Five key content areas emerged from the telephone interviews: (1) mobile devices are an important part of families’ everyday routines, and parents have parameters governing their use; (2) parents often use mobile devices as a tool for behavior management; (3) parents clearly distinguish between mobile device use for learning versus entertainment; (4) parents have an overarching desire for balance in regard to their child’s mobile device use; and (5) parents were generally supportive of the idea of using mobile apps for intervention delivery. From the app prototype testing with parents, participants reacted positively to the app and felt that it would be useful in a variety of situations. Testing with preschoolers showed the children were highly engaged with the app and a majority remained standing and/or actively moving through the entire length of the app. Conclusions: Mobile devices are already integrated into most families’ daily routines and appear to be an acceptable method of intervention delivery in low-income families in rural Colorado. The physical activity app represents an innovative way to reach these families and, with further improvements based on participant feedback, will provide children with a unique opportunity to practice key movement skills.
An Empirical Analysis of Investor Confidence Incorporated in Market Prices

Using market prices for an equity index, this research empirically estimates the complex interrelationship between the confidence of informed investors, aggregate market sentiment, and many other v...
Venous return and the physical connection between distribution of segmental pressures and volumes

More than sixty years ago, Guyton and coworkers related their observations of venous return to a mathematical model. Showing steady-state flow (F) as proportional to the difference between mean sys...
The experimental identification of nixtamalized maize through starch spherulites

Abstract Nixtamalization is a cooking technique that has played a significant role for thousands of years in the foodways of indigenous communities throughout the Americas. By cooking maize in an alkaline solution, often made from slaked lime, the process of nixtamalization increases the nutritional value of maize and helps to prevent severe malnutrition in populations dependent on maize as a staple food source. Due to the preservation bias against macrobotanical remains in tropical soils, microbotanical analyses of pottery residues are increasingly used to identify ancient plant use and preparation. However, to date no method has been developed to directly identify nixtamalization in the archaeological record via residue analysis. Through experimental replication of the nixtamalization process we have identified a unique product of the lime-based alkaline cooking process: residues that we conclude are starch spherulites. Here, we detail the range of diagnostic morphologies characteristic of starch spherulites and propose that the presence of starch spherulites found on cooking vessels and grinding stones, or within archaeological sediments, can act as a proxy for the use of the nixtamalization process. Through applications of polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and SEM-EDS, this research lays the groundwork for the direct identification of nixtamalization in archaeological contexts, offering for the first time a direct mechanism with which to assess the inception and expansion of nixtamalization throughout the Americas.
A Device for Rapid, Automated Trimming of Insect-Sized Flying Robots

Successful demonstrations of controlled flight in flying insect-sized robots (FIRs) $ 500 mg have all relied on piezo-actuated flapping wings because of unfavorable downward size scaling in motor-driven propellers. In practice, the mechanical complexity of flapping wings typically results in large torque bias variability about pitch and roll axes, leading to rapid rotation in free flight for vehicles that are not properly trimmed. Manual trimming by watching high-speed video is tedious and error-prone. In this letter, we introduce an alternative, a trimming device that uses feedback from motion capture cameras to determine and correct for bias torques. It does so using an automated feedback loop, without the need for any visual feedback from the user, or airborne flights which can damage the robot. We validated the device on two different robot flies. After trimming with our device, the robots both took off approximately vertically in open-loop and were able to hover in free flight under feedback control. Our system, therefore, reduces the time of essential yet time-consuming step in robot fly fabrication, facilitating their eventual mass production and practical application.
Predicting water retention of biochar-amended soil from independent measurements of biochar and soil properties

Abstract Biochar is black carbon produced from pyrolysis of biomass and may be added to soil to sequester carbon and improve soil water retention. To date models to predict changes in soil water retention with biochar amendment are still missing and therefore direct measurements are required for every biochar/soil combination, which can be time-consuming. Here, a predictive model for biochar's effect on soil water retention was developed and tested that includes water retained in biochar intrapores and biochar's impact on interpores between particles. The independently measured parameters needed for the model are the particle size distributions (PSDs) and particle densities for biochar and soil, water retention data for biochar-free soil, biochar intrapore volume distribution from mercury porosimetry, amount of biochar added, bulk density of the biochar/soil mixture, and dew point potentiometer measurements of biochar. The model was tested using poultry litter and wood biochars amended to two soils (sand and sandy loam) at 2 and 7% mass fraction. The model predicted changes in the soil water characteristic well for the biochar amendment, with RMSE decreasing by ~50% when the full model was used. Model predictions of the change in available water capacity with biochar amendment for eight biochar/soil combinations had an average absolute error of 0.017 ± 0.006 and an average relative error of 1 0 ¯ 0 ± 40%. The model correctly predicted the increase in available water content when sandy loam was amended with wood biochar, and the decrease if amended with poultry litter biochar. The model provides an improved understanding of the mechanisms by which biochar alters water retention, and a means to estimate the initial change in available water capacity for a particular biochar/soil combination if necessary biochar and soil properties are measured.
Why Not? Persuading Clinicians to Reduce Overuse

Abstract Objective To explore how best to deimplement nonrecommended medical services, which can result in excess costs and patient harm. Methods We conducted telephone interviews with 15 providers at 3 health systems from June 19 to November 21, 2017. Using the case of nonrecommended imaging in patients with cancer, participants assessed the potential for 7 rationales or “arguments,” each characterizing overuse in terms of a single problem type (cost or quality) and affected stakeholder group (clinicians, institutions, society, or patients), to convince colleagues to change their practices. We tested rationales for all problem-stakeholder combinations appearing in prior deimplementation studies. Results Participants’ views varied widely. Relatively few found cost arguments powerful, except for patients’ out-of-pocket costs. Participants were divided on institution-quality and clinician-quality rationales. Patient-quality rationales resonated strongly with nearly all participants. However, a “yes, but” phenomenon emerged: after initially expressing strong support for a rationale, participants often undercut it with denials or rationalizations. Conclusion Deimplementation efforts should combine multiple rationales appealing to clinicians’ diverse perspectives and priorities. In addition, efforts must consider the complex cognitive dynamics that can undercut data and reasoned argumentation.
Quick (and Dirty) Aggregate Queries on Low-Power WANs

Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LP-WANs) are seeing wide-spread deployments connecting millions of sensors, each powered by a ten-year AA battery to radio infrastructure, often miles away. By design, iteratively querying all sensors in an LP-WAN may take several hours or even days, given the stringent battery limits of client radios. This precludes obtaining even an approximate real-time view of sensed information across LP-WAN devices over a large area, say in the event of a disaster, fault or simply for diagnostics.This paper presents QuAiL1, a system that provides a coarse aggregate view of sensed data across LP-WAN devices over a wide- area within a time span of just one LP-WAN packet. QuAiL achieves this by coordinating multiple LP-WAN radios to transmit their information synchronously in time and frequency despite their power constraints. We design each client’s transmission so that the base station can retrieve an approximate heatmap of sensed data by exploiting the spatial correlation of this data across clients. We further show how our system can be optimized for statistical and machine learning queries, all while maintaining the security and privacy of sensed data from individual clients. Our deployment over a 3 sq. km. LP-WAN deployment around CMU campus in Pittsburgh demonstrates a 4x faster information retrieval versus the state-of- the-art statistical methods to retrieve the spatial sensor heatmap at a desired resolution.
Secure Determinant Codes: Type-II Security

The secure exact-repair regenerating codes are studied, for distributed storage systems with parameters (n,k = d,d,l). The secrecy constraint guarantees that the message remains secure against an eavesdropper who can observe the incoming repair data from all possible nodes to a fixed but unknown subset of (up to) l compromised nodes (type II secrecy). A class of secure determinant codes are introduced for all system parameters, and an achievable secrecy trade-off between the per-node storage capacity and repair bandwidth is characterized.
Was und wie wir von Hannah Arendt gelernt haben

Elisabeth Young-Bruehl und Jerome Kohn studierten in den 1960er Jahren bei Hannah Arendt. Der Briefwechsel erscheint in diesem Buch erstmals in deutscher Sprache. Er erschien ursprunglich in: Gordon, Mordechai (Hrsg.), Hannah Arendt and Education. Renewing Our Common World, New York: Routledge, 2018, S. 225–256 unter dem Titel: Elisabeth Young-Bruehl/Jerome Kohn, What and How We Learned from Hannah Arendt: An Exchange of Letters.
Metabolites that activate the inflammasome in nascent metabolic syndrome.

Abstract Background Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cardio-metabolic cluster that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Whilst it affects 35% of the American adult population, its pathogenesis remains to be elucidated. Both insulin resistance and increased inflammation appear to be pivotal mechanisms. The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, an intracellular multi-protein complex, is crucial in the activation of Caspase 1, resulting in an increase in both IL-1and IL-18. In this preliminary report we examined the relationship between metabolites from our exploratory metabolomics studies with the NLRP3 inflammasome activity in the adipose tissue of patients with nascent MetS. Patient and methods This study comprised patients with nascent MetS matched with controls. All patients in this study had normal renal and hepatic function. Metabolites were analyzed from frozen early morning urine samples and correlated with adipose tissue Caspase 1, interleukin-1, and interleukin-18 density. Results Caspase 1, a marker of NLRP3 inflammasome activity, was significantly elevated in patients with nascent MetS compared to controls. Isoleucine, GABA, Carnitine and PC34: 2 were also significantly increased in patients with MetS. Caspase1 correlated positively with Isoleucine, GABA, Carnitine, and PC34:2. Conclusion We make the novel observation that the NLRP3 inflammasome activity is correlated with certain metabolites (Isoleucine, GABA, Carnitine and PC34:2) and hypothesize that they could trigger increased NLRP3 Inflammasome activity in MetS. However, these preliminary ,hypothesis generating novel findings need confirmation in larger studies of the metabolome and inflammasome.
Patterns of antimicrobial drug use in veterinary primary care and specialty practice: A 6-year multi-institution study.

BACKGROUND Combatting antimicrobial resistance requires a One Health approach to antimicrobial stewardship including antimicrobial drug (AMD) use evaluation. Current veterinary AMD prescribing data are limited. OBJECTIVES To quantify companion animal AMD prescribing in primary care and specialty practice across 3 academic veterinary hospitals with particular focus on third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems. ANIMALS Dogs and cats presented to 3 academic veterinary hospitals from 2012 to 2017. METHODS In this retrospective study, AMD prescribing data from 2012 to 2017 were extracted from electronic medical records at each hospital and prescriptions classified by service type: primary care, specialty practice or Emergency/Critical Care (ECC). Hospital-level AMD prescribing data were summarized by species, service type, AMD class, and drug. Multivariable logistic full-factorial regression models were used to estimate hospital, year, species, and service-type effects on AMD prescribing. Estimated marginal means and confidence intervals were plotted over time. RESULTS The probability of systemic AMD prescribing for any indication ranged between 0.15 and 0.28 and was higher for dogs than cats (P < .05) apart from 2017 at hospital 1. Animals presented to primary care were least likely to receive AMDs (dogs 0.03-0.15, cats 0.03-0.18). The most commonly prescribed AMD classes were aminopenicillins/β-lactamase inhibitors (0.02-0.15), first-generation cephalosporins (0.00-0.09), fluoroquinolones (0.00-0.04), nitroimidazoles (0.01-0.06), and tetracyclines (0.00-0.03). Among the highest priority classes, fluoroquinolones (dogs 0.00-0.09, cats 0.00-0.08) and third-generation cephalosporins (dogs 0.00-0.04, cats 0.00-0.05) were most frequently prescribed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial drug prescribing frequencies were comparable to previous studies. Additional stewardship efforts might focus on fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins.
Imaging of Cancer Immunotherapy: Response Assessment Methods, Atypical Response Patterns, and Immune-Related Adverse Events, From the AJR Special Series on Imaging of Inflammation.

Please see the Editorial Comment by Jennifer Schroeder discussing this article. The introduction of immunotherapy with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment paradi...
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURES FOR VISION

It is estimated that systems capable of executing 1 to 100 billion operations per second will be required to achieve near-real time performance in image analysis tasks. In this paper, we present three aspects of architecture for realizing economical solutions to this problem. At the Processor-Memory-Switch (PMS) level, we consider parallel and pipeline architectures using multiprocessor and array processor systems. At the Instruction-Set-Processor (ISP) level, we consider the firmware implementation of special instruction sets for image processing. At the processor design level, we consider the design of complex Arithmetic-Logic-Units (ALU) for execution of complex image operations. Given these alternative aspects, we present hardware and software design considerations affecting the overall architecture. Together, they appear to hold the promise of several orders of magnitude improvement in speed over general purpose systems.
Molecular Biology of Tipula Iridescent Virus

Tipula iridescent virus (TIV) is an icosahedral insect virus that replicates cytoplasmically in infected cells. The TIV virion has a diameter of 130 nm containing between 25 and 30 polypeptides. Within the core resides the double-stranded genome which is comprised predominantly of two DNA components, L (176–247 kbp) and S1 (10.8 kbp), both of which are seen consistently in agarose gels of total TIV DNA. We present here a review of available literature on TIV and other iridoviruses, and discuss in particular the molecular approaches that we have introduced to study this virus. We also extend our observations on the multiple DNA components of TIV by comparing our isolate with one obtained from Ireland. These studies indicated that the latter isolate lacked the S1 DNA component suggesting a separate evolutionary origin for this DNA component. A strategy for isolating transcripts on the basis of abundancy is also described along with a discussion on the relative abundance of the TIV capsid protein in purified virions.
Bisimulation Minimization in an Automata-Theoretic Verification Framework

Bisimulation is a seemingly attractive state-space minimization technique because it can be computed automatically and yields the smallest model preserving all ?-calculus formulas. It is considered impractical for symbolic model checking, however, because the required BDDs are prohibitively large for most designs. We revisit bisimulation minimization, this time in an automata-theoretic framework. Bisimulation has potential in this framework because after intersecting the design with the negation of the property, minimization can ignore most of the atomic propositions. We compute bisimulation using an algorithm due to Lee and Yannakakis that represents bisimulation relations by their equivalence classes and only explores reachable classes. This greatly improves on the time and memory usage of na?ve algorithms.We demonstrate that bisimulation is practical for many designs within the automata-theoretic framework. In most cases, however, the cost of performing this reduction still outweighs that of conventional model checking.
Taxing State Governments under a Federal Value Added Tax: Part 2

In the first article of this series, I considered the proper treatment of state governments under a hypothetical federal value added tax. In this article, I extend that analysis. As in the first article, I assume that a federal VAT should maintain neutrality between goods provided by the private sector and those provided by state governments. Although the federal government may well wish to subsidize state governments' provision of particular goods, such subsidies are better provided through specific grant programs than through the VAT system. Also, the VAT should surely not favor in-house production of goods by state governments' own employees and capital stock over state governments' production of goods using inputs purchased from private firms.
Mapping radiation injury and recovery in bone marrow using 18F-FLT PET/CT and USPIO MRI in a rat model

266 Objectives Salivary gland dysfunction is one of the serious adverse effects of radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy in thyroid cancer patients but there is no established nuclear imaging tool for the quantitative assessment of the salivary gland dysfunction. Here, we attempted to apply the quantitative parameters of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) post injection of Tc-99m to the patients with RAI therapy. Methods Twenty-three patents with well-differentiated thyroid cancer (age, 44.8±11.5y, male:female=9:14) underwent Tc-99m (5~15mCi) quantitative SPECT/CT before (n=18) or 1 yr after (n=5) RAI therapy (dose=116.0±32.1mCi) from August to November 2015. Of the 18 patients who had had the SPECT/CT before the RAI therapy, 8 patients (m:f=5:3, age, 50.6±7.3y) underwent the follow-up SPECT/CT 3 weeks post RAI (dose=118.8±25.9mCi) with the traditional planar salivary gland scintigraphy. The SPECT/CT protocol consisted of the 1st SPECT/CT around 20 min post Tc-99m injection and the second SPECT/CT post sialagogue stimulation around 40 min post Tc-99m injection. %injected dose (%ID) and standardized uptake value (SUV) were obtained for parotid and submandibular glands. %excretion was calculated as 100 × (%ID at the first SPECT/CT - %ID at the second SPECT/CT)/%ID at the first SPECT/CT. The arithmetic mean value of the right and the left salivary glands was used for the statistical analyses. Results The 5 patients with RAI 1yr ago had significantly lower %ID of parotid (0.23±0.12% vs. 0.52±0.17%, p=0.0022), SUVmean of parotid (7.04±3.10 vs. 12.63±5.36, p=0.0253), and SUVmax of parotid (16.24±6.32 vs. 31.28±14.97, p=0.0209) than the 18 patients prior to the RAI therapy. However, submandibular gland function was not significantly different between the 5 patients with RAI 1yr ago and the 18 patients without RAI (0.19±0.20% vs. 0.20±0.10%, p=0.4561 for %ID; 11.60±10.10 vs. 10.41±3.00, p=0.5023 for SUVmean; and 27.33±27.64 vs. 20.29±6.20, p=0.5023 for SUVmax). On the other hand, the 8 patients who had had the SPECT/CT before and 3 weeks post the RAI therapy, showed a significantly increase of %excretion of parotid glands from before (70.74±4.17%) to after (75.09±5.36%, p=0.0078) RAI therapy, whereas %excretion of submandibular glands was not significantly changed (60.18±11.60% vs. 56.15±14.92, p=0.5469). The corresponding planar scintigraphy parameters (52.27±12.14% vs. 55.63±8.78%, p=0.5469 for %excretion of parotid; and 33.36±7.07% vs. 30.15±12.91%, p=0.8438 for %excretion of submandibular) did not show any difference between before and after the RAI therapy. Conclusions The dysfunction of salivary glands post RAI therapy was readily demonstrated in the parotid glands using the quantitative parameters of SPECT/CT. Tc-99m quantitative SPECT/CT may displace the planar salivary scintigraphy because of its high sensitivity for the salivary dysfunction post RAI therapy.
On the Analysis of Dynamic Restart Strategies for Evolutionary Algorithms

Since evolutionary algorithms make heavy use of randomness it is typically the case that they succeed only with some probability. In cases of failure often the algorithm is restarted. Of course, it is desirable that the point of time when the current run is considered to be a failure and therefore the algorithm is stopped and restarted is determined by the algorithm itself rather than by the user. Here, very simple restart strategies that are non-adaptive are compared on a number of examples with different properties. Circumstances under which specific types of dynamic restart strategies should be applied are described and the potential loss by choosing an inadequate restart strategy is estimated.
Application of a conceptual fitness model for managing Pacific salmon fisheries

Abstract A conceptual fitness model for managing Pacific salmon fisheries to maintain the long-term reproductive fitness of breeding populations is described. The genetic objective is to maintain the variance of fitness at a level which allows the stock to perpetuate itself in the face of fishing and natural mortality. Functional relationships of the model are reviewed. The expressions relate the variance of fitness to the number of spawners, age structure, and immigration. Adjustment of the model to accommodate the different life histories of Pacific salmon is demonstrated by application of the functional relationships to fictitious chum ( Oncorhynchus keta ) and pink ( O. gorbuscha ) salmon stocks. The demonstration includes estimating changes in the variance of fitness resulting from pre-selected escapement levels, and the escapement required to maintain the variance of fitness constant.