cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Missing Data and Regression Models for Spatial Images

In previous work, we have shown that a functional concurrent linear model (FCLM) can be used to model the relationship between two spatial images. In this paper, we provide two extensions of the use of the FCLM to address missing data problems in series of colocated spatial images. First, we show how to build an FCLM relating two images involving gypsy moth defoliation data when there are missing data in some regions of the images. Because there is interest in filling in the missing scan lines in Landsat 7 images, we then further extend this approach to provide an imputation method for Landsat 7 data when the focus is on repairing a single image, rather than in relating images. A side effect of our approach is that the FCLM appears to automatically select the best parts of different covariate images for repairing a target image.
OMEN an Atomistic and Full-Band Quantum Transport Simulator for post-CMOS Nanodevices

The technology computer aided design of nanometer-scaled semiconductor devices requires appropriate quantum-mechanical models that capture the atomic granularity of the simulation domain. The recently developed nanodevice simulator OMEN fulfills this condition. It is able to treat two- and three-dimensional transistor structures in a full-band framework using the semi-empirical sp3d5 s* tight-binding model. In this formalism each atom of the device is represented by a set of ten orbitals leading to multi-band and open-boundary Schrodinger equations that have to be solved thousands of times. To improve its computational efficiency OMEN has four levels of parallelism that make it run on the largest available supercomputers.
Instructional Practices for Promoting Skill Acquisition and Generalization in Severely Learning Disabled Adolescents.

Programming options for learning disabled (LD) adolescents have received increased attention over the past decade. In addition to curriculum-related issues, efforts must also be aimed at solving the basic question of how to instruct LD adolescents to ensure maximum skill acquisition and generalization. Results of research conducted with a wide range of LD adolescents have shown that severely learning disabled (SLD) students need very stringent and systematic instructional procedures in order to acquire and apply learning strategies. Using a learning strategies approach, this article outlines specific procedures designed to promote acquisition and generalization of learning strategies in LD adolescents. First students are taught a specific strategy in isolation before being asked to apply it to controlled materials, and later to transfer the strategy to regular-class content. Unless sound instructional practices are implemented, the performance of SLD students is adversely affected.
Navier-Stokes Predictions of Pitch Damping for Axisymmetric Projectiles

An approach for predicting the pitch-damping coefe cient sum for axisymmetric e ight bodies is presented. The approach utilizes a specie c combination of spinning and coning motions that allows the pitch-damping force and moment coefe cient to be directly related to the aerodynamic side force and moment. The use of combined spinning and coning motion represents an improvement over existing techniques that utilize lunar coning motion for predicting the pitch-damping coefe cients. A parabolized Navier ‐Stokes approach that utilizes a missile-e xed, noninertialrotatingcoordinateframeisappliedtopredictthee owe eldsaboutaxisymmetricprojectilesundergoing steady coning motion. Thegoverning equationsaremodie edto includethecentrifugal and Coriolisforcetermsdue to the rotating coordinate frame. From the computed e owe eld, the side force and moment due to coning motion, spinning motion, and combined spinning and coning motion are used to determine the pitch-damping coefe cients. Computationsareperformedfora genericshell cone guration (with and withoutboattail ), andthepredictionsshow good agreement with an existing inviscid code. The comparisons of computational results for a family of ogivecylindercone gurationswithaerodynamicsrangedatashowexcellentagreementandfurthervalidatetheapproach.
Fluorescent intercalator displacement replacement (FIDR) assay: determination of relative thermodynamic and kinetic parameters in triplex formation—a case study using triplex-forming LNAs

Triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) are the most commonly used approach for site-specific targeting of double stranded DNA (dsDNA). Important parameters describing triplex formation include equilibrium binding constants (Keq) and association/dissociation rate constants (kon and koff). The ‘fluorescent intercalator displacement replacement’ (FIDR) assay is introduced herein as an operationally simple approach toward determination of these parameters for triplexes involving TC-motif TFOs. Briefly described, relative rate constants are determined from fluorescence intensity changes upon: (i) TFO-mediated displacement of pre-intercalated and fluorescent ethidium from dsDNA targets (triplex association) and (ii) Watson–Crick complement-mediated displacement of the TFO and replacement with ethidium (triplex dissociation). The assay is used to characterize triplexes between purine-rich dsDNA targets and TC-motif TFOs modified with six different locked nucleic acid (LNA) monomers, i.e. conventional and C5-alkynyl-functionalized LNA and a-L-LNA pyrimidine monomers. All of the studied monomers increase triplex stability by decreasing the triplex dissociation rate. LNA-modified TFOs form more stable triplexes than a-L-LNA-modified counterparts owing to slower triplex dissociation. Triplexes modified with C5-(3-aminopropyn-1-yl)LNA-U monomer Z are particularly stable. The study demonstrates that three affinity-enhancing features can be combined into one high-affinity TFO monomer: conformational restriction of the sugar ring, expansion of the pyrimidine n-stacking surface and introduction of an exocyclic amine.
A Kantian Critique of Positive Aesthetics of Nature

Upon introducing aesthetic judgment in his Critique of Judgment , Kant proceeds to focus almost exclusively on elucidating positive aesthetic judgment. In the face of the conspicuous absence of negative judgment, scholars debate whether it is possible at all in Kant?s aesthetics. In the field of environmental aesthetics, an analogous issue exists. Environmental philosophers adhering to a positive aesthetics of nature position claim that, for the most part, only positive aesthetic evaluations are appropriate for ?virgin? nature. After examining whether negative judgments are possible in Kant, I apply the results to the positive aesthetics of nature position and argue that not only are negative judgments of nature possible, but that a Kantian analysis threatens the viability of the positive aesthetics position. Alternatively, acceptance of positive aesthetics requires an abandonment of Kantian aesthetic theory.
Gene expression analysis in burn wounds of rats

The events occurring early in the burn wound trigger a sequence of local and systemic responses that influence cell and tissue survival and, consequently, wound healing and recovery. Using high-density oligonucleotide arrays we identified gene expression patterns in skin samples taken from a region of injury in the burn rat model. The associated genomic events include the differential expression of genes involved in cell survival and death, cell growth regulation, cell metabolism, inflammation, and immune response. The functional gene cluster detected and their time appearance matched the time sequence known to occur in burn wound healing.
A New Species of †Martynovia1, Tillyard, 1932 (Insecta: †Diaphanopterodea: †Martynoviidae) from the Lower Permian Wellington Formation of Noble County, Oklahoma

Abstract A new species of the fossil genus †Martynovia is described and figured from a specimen retrieved from the Lower Permian Midco Insect Beds of Noble County, Oklahoma. †Martynovia halli, new species, most closely resembles the Elmo (Dickinson County), Kansas species, †M. protohymenoides Tillyard, 1932, from which it is differentiated by wing shape and venational characters. Representatives of the fossil family †Martynoviidae (Insecta: †Diaphanotperodea) are quite rare in the fossil record, and are known only from the Wellington Formation of Kansas and Oklahoma in the U.S.A. and from the Permian deposits of the Lodeve Basin in southern France.
A new role for dystrophin in muscle stem cells.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating X-linked disease that is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and caused by mutations in dystrophin. Dystrophin is critical for myofiber structural integrity, but a new study reveals an additional important role for this protein in muscle stem cells.
Newborn car bed testing in a community hospital: implementing the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to describe our experience in implementing the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation to test infants in a car bed if they fail a car seat challenge test. STUDY DESIGN: Car seat challenge testing was performed for 90 minutes or the anticipated duration of the trip home, whichever was longer. Based on the pulse oximetry saturation values (90-92% or < 90%) two categories of test failure were used. Infants who failed in the car seat were tested in the car bed. Testing took place in both the normal newborn nursery (NBN) and special care nursery (SCN). NBN babies who failed in the car bed were transferred to our SCN for additional assessment and management. RESULTS: A total of 197 infants were tested in car seats out of which 177 (89.8%) passed the test. Of the 20 infants who failed, 16 passed the car bed challenge test on the first attempt and were discharged in those devices. All infants who failed the car bed challenge were NBN patients. CONCLUSIONS: Using 93% as the acceptable lower limit of oxygenation we successfully implemented the AAP recommendations for car bed challenge testing in our nursery.
Who Helps? Immigrant-native Differences in Patterns of Homework Assistance

In the United States, the dominant view of children is that they are passive receivers of parental resources—sites of investment that consume parental assets. However, this research largely ignores...
A New Kind of Tradeoffs in Propositional Proof Complexity

We exhibit an unusually strong tradeoff in propositional proof complexity that significantly deviates from the established pattern of almost all results of this kind. Namely, restrictions on one resource (width, in our case) imply an increase in another resource (tree-like size) that is exponential not only with respect to the complexity of the original problem, but also to the whole class of all problems of the same bit size. More specifically, we show that for any parameter k = k(n), there are unsatisfiable k-CNFs that possess refutations of width O(k), but such that any tree-like refutation of width n1 − e/k must necessarily have doubly exponential size exp (nΩ(k)). This means that there exist contradictions that allow narrow refutations, but in order to keep the size of such a refutation even within a single exponent, it must necessarily use a high degree of parallelism. Our construction and proof methods combine, in a non-trivial way, two previously known techniques: the hardness escalation method based on substitution formulas and expansion. This combination results in a hardness compression approach that strives to preserve hardness of a contradiction while significantly decreasing the number of its variables.
Design of Clinical Studies and Trials

While observational and nonrandomized experimental studies may inform the potential promise of clinical trials, it is the well-designed and conducted randomized controlled trial that provides the strongest evidence both for the causal nature of a modifiable factor and for the impact on disease outcomes of modifying that factor. This chapter provides an overview of the continuum of research designs including Phase I, II, and III studies and implementation, dissemination, and comparative effectiveness research. It then discusses a few basic study designs frequently used in clinical research. Next, several critical issues arising across study designs are discussed including an in-depth discussion of comparison groups and placebo response. The chapter concludes with several examples of common mistakes and misconceptions with examples that lead the reader into the next several chapters.
Correlates of online health information-seeking behaviors in a low-income Hispanic community.

ABSTRACTObjective: The purpose of this study was to explore the correlates of online health information-seeking behaviors among Hispanic residents of a low-income urban neighborhood. Methods: Data were collected with a community survey from 1045 unique participants at ambulatory care clinics in a largely Hispanic immigrant community in northern Manhattan, New York. A descriptive correlational analysis was conducted using logistic regression. Results: A majority of the participants were born outside the United States (85.7%), and half (50.3%) had completed high school. A logistic regression revealed that five independent variables were significantly correlated with online health information-seeking behaviors: age, education, marital status, primary language, and health literacy. Age and Spanish as preferred language were negatively associated with online health information-seeking (OR = 0.93 and 0.50), whereas education and health literacy were positively associated with online health information-seeking (...
The effect of hemorrhage on plasma iron turnover.

The plasma iron turnover rate in rats following a single hemorrhage reaches a maximum in about 48 hours and returns to normal between the seventh and tenth day. There is considerable variation in individual rats in both the maximum rate attained and the time required for recovery. No significant difference in response was observed due to the severity of hemorrhage upon removal of 2.7 to 18 per cent of total red cells.
Central Stress Neurocircuits

An amazingly diverse range of stimuli can lead to a constellation of response outputs collectively known as the stress response. This article reviews the neural circuitry involved in the regulation of one of these response outputs, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. Understanding how different brain regions are involved in processing various types of stressors, with information converging to activate the HPA axis, is emphasized.
VX-509 (Decernotinib)-Mediated CYP3A Time-Dependent Inhibition: An Aldehyde Oxidase Metabolite as a Perpetrator of Drug-Drug Interactions

(R)-2-((2-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)-2-methyl-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)butanamide (VX-509, decernotinib) is an oral Janus kinase 3 inhibitor that has been studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often receive multiple medications, such as statins and steroids, to manage the signs and symptoms of comorbidities, which increases the chances of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Mechanism-based inhibition is a subset of time-dependent inhibition (TDI) and occurs when a molecule forms a reactive metabolite which irreversibly binds and inactivates drug-metabolizing enzymes, potentially increasing the systemic load to toxic concentrations. Traditionally, perpetrating compounds are screened using human liver microsomes (HLMs); however, this system may be inadequate when the precipitant is activated by a non-cytochrome P450 (P450)-mediated pathway. Even though studies assessing competitive inhibition and TDI using HLM suggested a low risk for CYP3A4-mediated DDI in the clinic, VX-509 increased the area under the curve of midazolam, atorvastatin, and methyl-prednisolone by approximately 12.0-, 2.7-, and 4.3-fold, respectively. Metabolite identification studies using human liver cytosol indicated that VX-509 is converted to an oxidative metabolite, which is the perpetrator of the DDIs observed in the clinic. As opposed to HLM, hepatocytes contain the full complement of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters and can be used to assess TDI arising from non-P450-mediated metabolic pathways. In the current study, we highlight the role of aldehyde oxidase in the formation of the hydroxyl-metabolite of VX-509, which is involved in clinically significant TDI-based DDIs and represents an additional example in which a system-dependent prediction of TDI would be evident.
Epidemiology of venous thromboembolism in the Framingham Heart Study

Abstract Background Reports of the crude incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Western countries vary widely. Data regarding risk factors, incidence and recurrence of VTE from deeply-phenotyped community-based cohort studies are needed. Objectives To study the incidence, associated mortality, and predisposing factors of VTE in the prospective, longitudinal community-based Framingham Heart Study. Patients/Methods The study sample consisted of the Framingham Heart Study Original, Offspring, Third Generation, and Omni cohorts (N=9754). Incidence rates (IR) were standardized to the 2000 US population. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to study risk factor associations. Results During 1995–2014 (total follow-up time 104,091 person-years [median 9.8 (range 0–20) years]), 297 incident VTE events were observed. Age-adjusted IR of VTE was 20.3/10,000 (95% CI 17.9–22.6). Of the events 120 (40%) were pulmonary embolism (PE) and 177 (60%) were deep venous thrombosis (DVT); 29% were unprovoked, 40% provoked, and 31% cancer-related. Cancer-related VTE was associated with high mortality at 30days (24.2%), 1year (66.3%), and 5years (75.6%). In multivariable models, age and obesity, but no other traditional cardiovascular risk factors, were significantly associated with VTE (hazard ratio [HR] per 10-year increase in age 1.69, 95% CI 1.48–1.92; HR for obesity (BMI≥30kg/m 2 ) 1.88, 95% CI 1.44–2.45). Conclusions We provide data on the epidemiology of VTE. VTE is associated with significant mortality, and prognosis after cancer-related VTE is particularly poor. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors beyond age and obesity are not associated with VTE.
Geomagnetic Induction Studies

Earth's external magnetic field varies on timescales from radio frequency anthropogenic noise to the 11-year sunspot cycle, inducing electric currents throughout the entire crust and mantle. Electromagnetic energy dissipates exponentially over a characteristic length scale given by the skin depth, which increases with period and resistivity, spanning a few tens of meters for periods of a millisecond in sedimentary rocks to thousands of kilometers for periods of a year in mantle rocks. This energy is used to probe Earth's electrical conductivity structure by making frequency domain impedance estimates from transfer functions between surface electric and magnetic fields (the magnetotelluric method), and transfer functions between vertical and horizontal magnetic field components (the geomagnetic depth sounding method). Data can be collected using portable arrays of instruments, magnetic observatories, or satellite magnetometers. Impedances are in turn inverted for electrical conductivity structure, either as a function of Earth radius or for two- and three-dimensional models. Inversion of globally averaged data reveals a mantle in which conductivity increases with depth, from around 0.01 S m − 1 in the upper mantle, to about 0.1 S m − 1 in the transition zone between 400 and 600 km depth, up to about 2 S m − 1 in the top half of the lower mantle. Although poorly constrained, there is a suggestion that the lowermost mantle reaches conductivities of 10 S m − 1 . These models can be compared with laboratory measurements of mantle minerals to provide estimates of temperature and volatile content (particularly water) in the mantle. However, while the various laboratory studies of anhydrous minerals are in general agreement, the challenges associated with making high pressure measurements of minerals containing water have resulted in variations of up to an order of magnitude in laboratory conductivity models of hydrated minerals. The globally averaged radial conductivity profile is in general agreement with measurements of anhydrous minerals and some models of hydrated minerals, but there are likely localized regions where increased water content, and perhaps partial melting induced by water or decompression, will increase conductivity. The challenge for the future is to use global measurements such as those obtained from satellites to map such regions by inverting for three-dimensional Earth conductivity, in spite of the shielding effects of highly conductive surface oceans and sediments.
From the Cover: Sperm Molecular Biomarkers Are Sensitive Indicators of Testicular Injury following Subchronic Model Toxicant Exposure.

Traditional testis histopathology endpoints remain the gold standard for evaluating testicular insult and injury in a non-clinical setting, but are invasive and unfeasible for monitoring these effects clinically in humans. Assessing testicular injury in humans relies on semen and serum hormone analyses, both of which are insensitive and poor indicators of effect. Therefore, we hypothesized that sperm messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts and DNA methylation marks can be used as translatable and sensitive indicators or testicular injury. Dose-response studies using adult male Fischer 344 rats subchronically exposed to model Sertoli cell toxicants (0.14, 0.21, and 0.33% 2,5-hexanedione, and 30, 50, and 70 mg/kg/day carbendazim), and a model germ cell toxicant (1.4, 3.4, and 5.1 mg/kg/day cyclophosphamide) for 3 months were evaluated for testicular injury by traditional histopathological endpoints, changes in sperm mRNA transcript levels using custom PCR arrays, and alterations in sperm DNA methylation via reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. Testis histopathological evaluation and PCR array analysis of the sperm transcriptome identified dose-dependent changes elicited by toxicant exposure (P 10% and q < 0.05) with robust signatures. Overall, these results suggest that sperm mRNA transcripts are sensitive indicators of low dose toxicant-induced testicular injury in the rat, while sperm DNA methylation changes are not. Additionally, the Monte Carlo analysis is a powerful approach that can be used to assess the robustness of signals resulting from -omic studies.
Impact of Stress Testing for Coronary Artery Disease Screening in Asymptomatic Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Community-Based Study in Olmsted County, Minnesota

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impact of screening stress testing for coronary artery disease in asymptomatic patients with diabetes in a community-based population. Patients and Methods This observational study included 3146 patients from Olmsted County, Minnesota, with no history of coronary artery disease or cardiac symptoms in whom diabetes was newly diagnosed from January 1, 1992, through December 31, 2008. With combined all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction as the primary outcome, weighted Cox proportional hazards regression was performed with screening stress testing within 2 years of diabetes diagnosis as the time-dependent covariate. For descriptive analysis, participants were classified by their clinical experience during the first 2 years postdiagnosis as screened (asymptomatic, underwent stress test), unscreened (asymptomatic, no stress test), or symptomatic (experienced symptoms or event). Results Among the screened and unscreened participants, 54% (1358 of 2538) were men; the mean (SD) age at diabetes diagnosis was 55 years (13.8 years), and 97% (2442 of 2520) had type 2 diabetes. In event-free survival analysis, 292 patients comprised the screened cohort and 2246 patients comprised the unscreened cohort. Death or myocardial infarction occurred in 454 patients (32 patients in the screened cohort and 422 in the unscreened cohort [5-year rate, 1.9% and 5.3%, respectively]) during median (interquartile range) follow-up of 9.1 years (5.3-12.5 years). Screening stress testing was associated with improved event-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.61; P =.004), independent of cardiac risk factors. However, while stress test results were abnormal in 47 of the 292 screened patients (16%), only 6 (2%) underwent coronary revascularization. Conclusion Although screening cardiac stress testing in asymptomatic patients with diabetes in this community-based population was associated with improvement in long-term event-free survival, this result does not appear to occur by coronary revascularization alone.
Thermally stimulated currents in polyethylene/ionomer blend. I. Effect of poling temperature, time and voltage

In a recent paper [1] the use of measurements of thermally stimulated currents (TSC) to study the annealing of a polyethylene/ionomer blend was reported. TSC's for this blend changed considerably in several days of combined thermal and voltage aging at 70°C and +48 kV/cm. No change in the TSC's were observed in pure polyethylene. Further characterization of the blends was done using thermal analysis and microscopy. The thermal and mechanical characteristics of the blends were observed to change for up to two weeks of annealing. After two weeks, further annealing produced only minor changes. Two distinct melting endotherms developed in the annealing and correspondingly morphological changes were observed microscopically in the cryofracture surfaces. This may indicate that the ionic component is one of the controlling factors in the TSC characteristics of this blend, because the ionomer, one component of the blend, has the ionic phases which exist as ionic multiplets and/or clusters [2] and the ionic phases may modify the internal field profile upon poling at high electric field. Therefore, for understanding the aging characteristies of the polyethylene/ionomer blend, the study of the charge storage mechanisms of these blends is needed.
Effect of chemistry on martensitic phase transformation kinetics and resulting properties of additively manufactured stainless steel

Abstract Here we investigate the effect of chemistry, including initial powder chemistry and spatial chemical variations due to vaporization during fabrication, on strain-induced martensitic phase transformation in 304L stainless steel components fabricated by directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing (AM). The austenite stability was altered by mixing pre-alloyed 304L stainless steel powder with Fe powder, which promoted martensitic phase transformation and resulted in an increase in ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure over pure 304L walls deposited by DED AM. The chemical composition variation with position, due to spatial variations in thermal history, was quantified, showing that austenite stabilizing elements Cr, Mn, and Ni were preferentially vaporized during deposition. We present a martensitic transformation kinetics equation that describes the evolution of martensite volume fraction with respect to plastic strain as a function of chemistry. This allows for the prediction of strain-induced martensite evolution as a function of strain, nominal chemistry, and heterogeneous chemistry due to vaporization within additively manufactured components.
Synthesis, characterization, and utility of trifluoroacetic acid lanthanide precursors for production of varied phase fluorinated lanthanide nanomaterials

Abstract The synthesis of a series of lanthanide trifluoroacetic acid (H-TFA) derivatives which contain only the TFA and its conjugate acid has been developed. From the reaction of Ln(N(SiMe3)2)3 with an excess amount of H-TFA, the products were identified as: [Ln(μ-TFA)3(H-TFA)2]n (Ln = Y, Ce, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy), [Ln(μ-TFA)3(μ-H-TFA)]n·solv (Ln·solv = Pr·2 H-TFA, H3O+, Ho·2py, Er·py, Yb·py, H-TFA), 3[H][(TFA)La(μ-TFA)3La(TFA)(μ-TFA)2(μc-TFA)2]n ½(H2O) ½(H2O, H-TFA) (La·½(H2O) ½(H2O, H-TFA)), [(k2-TFA)Nd(μ-TFA)3]n·H-py+ (Nd·H-py+), [(py)2Tm(μ-TFA)3]n (Tm), or [Lu(μ-TFA)4Lu(μ-TFA)3·H3O+]n (Lu·H3O+). The majority of samples formed long chain polymers with 3 or 4 μ-TFA ligands. Tm was isolated with py coordinated to the metal, whereas Ho, Er, and Yb were isolated with py located within the lattice. Select samples from this set of compounds were used to generate nanomaterials under solvothermal (SOLVO) conditions using pyridine (py) or octylamine at 185 °C for 24 h. The SOLVO products were isolated as: (i) from py: La – fluocerite (LaF3, PDF 98-000-0214, R = 9.64%, 35(0) nm), Tb – terbium fluoride (TbF3, PDF 00-037-1487, R = 4.76%, 21(2) nm), Lu lutetium oxy fluoride (LuOF, PDF 00-052-0779, R = 8.24%, 8(2) nm); (ii) from octylamine: La – fluocerite/lanthanum oxide carbonate (LaF3, PDF 98-000-0214, R = 7.47%, 5(0) nm; La2O2(CO3), PDF 01-070-5539, R = 12.32%, 12(0) nm), Tb – terbium oxy fluoride (TbOF, PDF 00-008-0230, R = 7.01%, 5(0) nm); Lu – lutetium oxide (Lu2O3, PDF 00-012-0728, R = 6.52%, 6(1) nm).
Acute Respiratory Failure: NIV Implementation and Intubation

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been associated with improved outcomes among select patients with acute respiratory failure, primarily when due to acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute decompensated heart failure. This chapter presents an overview of NIV indications, risks, and benefits, as well as a limited practical overview of initial NIV settings and subsequent adjustments. NIV is contraindicated in patients who cannot adequately protect their airway due to trauma, oral and respiratory secretions, or substantially altered mental status. However, patients who are altered due to hypercapnia may warrant a trial of NIV. Moderate evidence supports the use of NIV as a weaning strategy from invasive ventilation. While NIV has been studied in patients with pneumonia, these patients are at high risk for NIV failure with subsequent increased mortality, and invasive ventilation should be favored when these patients require mechanical respiratory support. The use of NIV for patients with ARDS is controversial, but may be feasible in a few select cases. Evidence for its use in asthma exacerbations is limited. NIV can also be used for palliation of respiratory distress in certain patients with terminal disease processes.
Women with angina pectoris had longer survival and subsequent coronary heart disease events than men

Source Citation Orencia A, Bailey K, Yawn BP, Kottke TE. Effect of gender on long-term outcome of angina pectoris and myocardial infarction/sudden unexpected death. JAMA. 1993 May 12,269:2392-7.
A systematic review of prospective memory in HIV disease: from the laboratory to daily life

Objective: Prospective memory (PM) is described as the capacity to form and maintain an intention that is executed in response to a specific cue. Neural injury and associated neurocognitive disorde...
Scope and Optimization of the Double Knorr Cyclization: Synthesis of Novel Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Tricyclic 1,8-Diazaanthraquinones

The Knorr cyclization of β-ketoanilides to form 2-quinolones in the presence of acid is well documented chemistry. Double Knorr cyclization is rare, with very few examples appearing in the literature to date. The double Knorr methodology can provide access to tricyclic 1,8-diazaanthraquinones, a scaffold seen in the diazaquinomycin family. The optimized synthesis of diazaquinomycin A and structural analogues thereof via double Knorr cyclization of di-β-ketoanilide precursor substrates is reported. The scope and generality of the double Knorr cyclization were investigated along with an optimization study. The double Knorr cyclization was found to be sensitive to steric bulk on precursor substrates. In addition, the presence of a 5-hydroxy group on the 1,3-di-β-ketoanilide facilitated the double Knorr cyclization, possibly due to its stabilizing effect on the carbocation intermediates formed during the reaction.
The Effect of Age, Canopy Position and Elevation on Foliar Wettability of Picea rubens and Abies balsamea: Implications for Pollutant-Induced Epicuticular Wax Degradation

The epicuticular wax layer is the outermost layer of the cuticular barrier between the atmosphere and the plant interior. A number of air pollutants can degrade this wax layer, increasing interactions between the plant and atmospheric deposition and thereby inducing stress. However, a number of natural factors also influence the development and degradation of epicuticular wax in evergreen tree species, and any changes induced by air pollution will be superimposed upon these natural variations. Using the contact angle method, the wettability of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) foliage in subalpine regions of the northeastern U.S. was determined. In both species, foliar wettability increased as the foliage aged. Wettability also increased with increasing elevation in both species. Foliage from the bottom of the canopy was more wettable than foliage from the top. Fir foliage was generally less wettable than spruce foliage, particularly the younger age classes. These results indicate that spruce, due to its greater wettability, may be more greatly affected by pollutant-induced epicuticular wax degradation. For the same reason, older conifer foliage, foliage near the bottom of the canopy and foliage at higher elevations may all be more likely to be affected by epicuticular wax degradation caused by air pollutants.
Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in a 32-year-old man

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (NA) is a benign, highly vascularised tumour of the nasopharynx, which typically occurs in young males aged 14-25 years. We report an interesting case of an NA arising de novo in a 32-year-old male. He was referred to our facility for severe nasal haemorrhage after biopsy of a left nasopharyngeal mass. In the operating room, extensive bleeding was noted, and an endoscopic medial maxillectomy was performed, and the left internal maxillary artery was ligated allowing for near total resection of the lesion. The pathological specimen confirmed the diagnosis of NA. To our knowledge, this is one of the oldest patients presenting with a de novo NA, in his fourth decade of life, confirming that this diagnosis must be considered in all those with large nasopharyngeal masses.
Apremilast Alters Behavioral Responses to Ethanol in Mice: II. Increased Sedation, Intoxication, and Reduced Acute Functional Tolerance.

BACKGROUND In our companion paper, we reported that the phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor apremilast reduced ethanol (EtOH) intake and preference in different drinking models in male and female C57BL/6J mice. In this study, we measured the effects of apremilast on other behaviors that are correlated with EtOH consumption. METHODS The effects of apremilast (20 mg/kg) on the following behaviors were studied in male and female C57BL/6J mice: locomotor response to a novel situation; EtOH- and lithium chloride (LiCl)-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to saccharin; conditioned place preference (CPP) and conditioned place avoidance (CPA) to EtOH; severity of handling-induced convulsions after EtOH administration; EtOH-induced anxiolytic-like behavior in the elevated plus maze; duration of EtOH-induced loss of righting reflex (LORR); recovery from EtOH-induced motor impairment on the rotarod; and acute functional tolerance (AFT) to EtOH's ataxic effects. RESULTS Apremilast did not change the acquisition of EtOH-induced CPP, severity of acute withdrawal from EtOH, or EtOH's anxiolytic-like effect. Apremilast did not alter the extinction of EtOH- or LiCl-induced CTA, but may interfere with acquisition of CTA to EtOH. Apremilast increased the acquisition of CPA to EtOH, reduced locomotor responses to a novel situation, and prolonged the duration of LORR and the recovery from acute motor incoordination induced by EtOH. The longer recovery from the ataxic effect may be attributed to reduced development of AFT to EtOH. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that apremilast increases the duration of EtOH intoxication by reducing AFT. Apremilast also reduces some aspects of general reward and increases EtOH's aversive properties, which might also contribute to its ability to reduce EtOH drinking.
Austenite-Bainite Transformation Kinetics in Austempered AISI 5160 Steel

This research investigates the process of the formation of bainite in austempered 5160 steel. Steel bar samples were austenitized at 1128 K for 20 minutes followed by holding at various times from 10 seconds to 2 hours and isothermal temperatures from 561K to 728K to obtain a multi-phase matrix. Micro-hardness analysis and metallurgical optical microscopy were used to analyze the experimental results. Hardness results indicated that at the 561K, 589K, and 566K isothermal temperatures for 5160 steel, lower bainite transformation occurred. However, from 644K to 728K, upper bainite transformation was found from the steel. The formation of the bainitic phase in SAE 5160 steel was characterized using thermodynamic and kinetic theories.
Ground Autonomy for an Aging Spacecraft

As it approaches the sixteenth of a 5 year prime mission, NASA's Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) mission continues to meet and exceed all science requirements while operating with severely degraded batteries. By 2013, the batteries had degraded such that the On Board Computer (OBC) could not be powered through eclipse. This prevents science data collection in eclipse and erases over 99% of all stored science and engineering telemetry. To mitigate these problems, the Flight Operations Team (FOT) at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) adopted a new operations scheme. "Daylight Only Operations" (DO-OP) transitions the spacecraft from safemode to science mode every orbit. This involved heavily automating the transition process using ground autonomy to improve spacecraft recovery time to 6 minutes - down from 3 orbits of manual commanding. While highly successful, this method of operations poses daily challenges that must be overcome using increasingly complex ground software.
Ceramics and Other Artifacts

This chapter describes the ceramic and artifact typology defined for all excavated sites. Emphasis is given to the variability and simplicity in style and form during the period of warfare, stress, demographic fragmentation, and intergroup co-residency at some sites.
Worst-Case Analysis of Heuristic Algorithms for Scheduling and Packing

The increased focus on heuristics for the approximate solution of integer programs has led to more sophisticated analysis methods for studying their performance. This paper is concerned with the worst-case approach to the analysis of heuristic performance. A worst-case study establishes the maximum deviation from optimality that can occur when a specified heuristic is applied within a given problem class. This is an important piece of information that can be combined with empirical testing and other analyses to provide a more complete evaluation of a heuristic. In this paper the basic ground rules of worst-case analysis of heuristics are reviewed, and a large variety of the existing types of worst-case results are described in terms of the knapsack problem. Then existing results are surveyed for the parallel machine scheduling and bin packing problems. The paper concludes with a discussion of possibilities for further research.
United States v. Dire : The Somali Pirates and the Fourth Circuit's Choice to Apply an Evolving "Law of Nations" to the Problem

Maritime piracy poses a grave threat to global shipping. In the United States, federal law criminalizes piracy as defined by international law, or the law of nations. Recently, in United States v. Dire, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals interpreted the law of nations surrounding piracy. Dire concerned the conviction of five Somali nationals under the piracy statute. The defendants argued that piracy requires a robbery, and since no robbery occurred, their convictions should be overturned. Examining two differing approaches by lower District Courts, the Fourth Circuit concluded that piracy does not require robbery because the law of nations evolves with changing international consensus, rather than maintaining a static definition. This consensus stems from international agreements, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, whose definition of piracy lacks a robbery element. Therefore, the court upheld the convictions. Dire may potentially change the way U.S. courts apply inter-
Serial-Dependency Grouping-Proof Protocol for RFID EPC C1G2 Tags

A key communication technology in smart cities and smart buildings for automation is RFID. Proving the simultaneous presence of a group of RFID-tagged objects is a practical need in many application areas within this domain. Some examples of this include vehicle fleets, smart parking, safety in public places (smart cities), security and access control (smart buildings), and asset location (supply chain system, health care industry). Security, privacy, and efficiency are central issues when designing such a grouping-proof protocol. This work is motivated by Sundaresan et al.’s grouping-proof protocol, which applies zero-knowledge techniques. In this paper, we propose a light, improved version of an offline serial-dependency grouping-proof protocol. Compared to existing grouping-proof protocols, our scheme improves on efficiency, scalability, security, and communication cost. It resists well-known attacks on grouping-proofs including tag/reader anonymity, tracking, forward security, replay, forgery, and message integrity.
scRNABatchQC: multi-samples quality control for single cell RNA-seq data.

Summary Single cell RNA sequencing is a revolutionary technique to characterize inter-cellular transcriptomics heterogeneity. However, the data are noise-prone because gene expression is often driven by both technical artifacts and genuine biological variations. Proper disentanglement of these two effects is critical to prevent spurious results. While several tools exist to detect and remove low-quality cells in one single cell RNA-seq dataset, there is lack of approach to examining consistency between sample sets and detecting systematic biases, batch effects and outliers. We present scRNABatchQC, an R package to compare multiple sample sets simultaneously over numerous technical and biological features, which gives valuable hints to distinguish technical artifact from biological variations. scRNABatchQC helps identify and systematically characterize sources of variability in single cell transcriptome data. The examination of consistency across datasets allows visual detection of biases and outliers. Availability and implementation scRNABatchQC is freely available at https://github.com/liuqivandy/scRNABatchQC as an R package. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Landscape of targetable alterations discovered by next generation sequencing demonstrates the role a community hospital can play in precision-guided oncology: Experience from Lenox Hill Hospital.

e19279Background: Next generation sequencing (NGS) has become standard of care in aiding diagnosis and treatment of advanced solid cancers, and in conducting clinical trials at large centers. It is...
Design of Dual-Polarized Pyramidal Log-Periodic Antenna with Integrated Feed for Additive Manufacturing

A dual-polarized log-periodic antenna with 5:1 bandwidth is considered for wideband, amplitude only direction-finding applications. The proposed system is comprised of two identical, orthogonal, sets of trapezoidal log-periodic arms. The arms' inclination from planar facilitates reduced back lobe radiation to improve directivity and efficiency once absorber is introduced. One arm of each polarization set contains a variable radius coaxial shell to achieve impedance matching such that the system impedance at the base of the antenna is matched to 50 ohms. Analysis and design for the 3d printed direction-finding antenna system is accomplished using a commercial off the shelf (COTS) finite element method (FEM) solver.
Donor-recipient interactions drive dynamics of horizontal gene transfer via natural competence

ABSTRACT Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in microbial communities is shaped by a complex web of abiotic and biotic interactions. We investigate the role of donor-recipient interactions on the dynamics of HGT via natural competence in a synthetic community. We show that the donor can play an active role in the gene transfer process that depends on the source of the transferred DNA. The efficiency of plasmid gene transfer depends on the abundance of the donor strain, whereas donor growth impairment augments the efficiency of chromosomal gene transfer. We show that antibiotic stress can either diminish or enhance the efficiency of gene transfer. A dynamic computational model of the system captures the impact of donor growth perturbations on gene transfer efficiency. Our results suggest that anti-HGT strategies targeting the donor strain can lead to opposing effects on the rate of HGT that depend on the microbial interaction network and source of transferred DNA.
Homeless and hungry: food insecurity in the land of plenty

Homelessness continues to challenge service providers in the United States where 600,000+ individuals are without their own place to stay on any given night. With significant barriers preventing access to food, homeless persons remain at risk for experiencing long-term food insecurity. As such, the primary intent of this paper was to examine specific hypotheses that explored the impact of both risks/stressors and resources on the reported food insecurity among homeless adults. Using a stratified quota sample, data were collected from homeless adults residing in two counties in Northwest Arkansas. One hundred and sixty-eight face-to-face interviews were conducted with homeless persons living in sheltered and unsheltered environments. We found a strong positive association with persons who had been arrested and reported food insecurity; anxiety symptoms and physical health symptoms were both positively related to food insecurity. Additionally, there were significant resources (access to medical services, and community connectedness) that were negatively related to food insecurity among homeless adults. Findings are discussed in the context of how important it is for service providers to have a clear picture of the health and well-being of their clientele, particularly as they work towards minimizing service disruption and maximizing client access to sustainable food sources.
Detection of Intergalactic HeII Absorption at Redshift 3.5

The large number of quasars found in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey has allowed searches for elusive, clear lines of sight towards HeII Ly-alpha absorption, a sensitive probe of the intergalactic medium. The few known systems indicate that HeII reionization occurs at z>3. We report the detection of a HeII Ly-alpha absorption edge in a quasar spectrum at z=3.50, the most distant such feature found to date. The candidate quasar was selected from a z~3 sample in the SDSS spectroscopic quasar survey and confirmed as part of an HST/STIS SNAP survey. We discuss the general characteristics of the absorption feature, as well as the probability for discovery of additional such objects.