cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Action Potential Duration Adaptation and Reverse-Rate Dependency in Human Ventricular Myocytes: Insights from a Computer Model

We recently developed and validated a novel mathematical model for Ca handling and ionic currents in human ventricular myocytes that is more robust than previous models in recapitulating relative contributions of various repolarizing K currents, and in describing Ca cycling processes (Biophys J. 2009;96(3) S1:664a-665a). Here, we present intriguing results on some emergent properties of this model. With increasing pacing frequency, AP shortening and parallel increases in intracellular [Ca] and [Na] are predicted. Remarkably, accumulation of [Na]i at fast rates predominates in the AP shortening (e.g. vs. K current changes), due to outward shifts in Na-pump (INaK) and Na-Ca exchange (INaCa) currents. Indeed, when clamping [Na]i to prevent Na accumulation, APD does not change with heart rate. No APD adaptation occurs when we prevent only INaK and INaCa from sensing the [Na]i rise (i.e. neither fast nor background Na currents contribute), and simulations indicate that INaK is dominant over INaCa in this effect. Moreover, acute Na-pump blockade is expected to causes gradual AP shortening as seen experimentally, that is secondary to gradual Na accumulation (after instantaneous APD prolongation due to block of outward INaK). We speculate that the increased [Na]i seen in heart failure may limit the AP prolongation that is caused by reduced K currents and increased late Na current. Our model (uniquely among human AP models) recapitulates reverse-rate dependence of APD upon IKr block, e.g. drug-induced AP prolongation is larger at slow stimulation rates. Simulation indicates that this is not due to frequency dependent properties of repolarizing currents (e.g. IKs), but is “intrinsic” to the system. That is, when AP repolarization is slower (at lower frequency with smaller net repolarizing current) any given current change (IKr block) causes a larger APD change.
Are "resting" microglia more "m2"?

Over the last decade, the concept and nomenclature of microglial phenotype polarization has been carried over from the peripheral macrophage literature. However, it is not entirely correct to view these two cell types as overlapping. Microglia, although related to macrophages, have several differences and their own unique repertoire of features. In particular, microglia arise from a distinct early yolk sac progenitor population and therefore have different developmental origins than macrophages (1). Furthermore, once in the central nervous system (CNS), microglia are maintained through local self-renewal (2). Under normal conditions, there is no infiltration of peripheral macrophages (3). Microglia also maintain expression profiles distinct from peripheral macrophages (4). This demonstrates that microglia are not simply macrophages that have migrated into the brain; rather, they are a distinct cell type.
Fast neutron flux spectrum aboard Mars Odyssey during cruise

[1] The energy spectrum of fast neutrons generated by interactions between galactic cosmic rays and the Mars Odyssey spacecraft during quiet interplanetary conditions is determined. It is given by Φn(En) = (0.071 ± 0.0044) En−(0.28±0.055) cm−2 s−1 MeV−1 for energies between 0.7 and 6 MeV. The estimated ratio of this component of spacecraft neutron background to the Martian leakage flux in Mars orbit is expected to amount to between 0.30 and 0.34. This fraction is sufficiently small so that the total background in orbit about Mars is expected to be dominated by Martian leakage neutrons reprocessed by the spacecraft. Nevertheless, the measured asymmetry properties of the Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer response function should allow separation of foreground and background neutron fluxes when in Mars orbit. The fast neutron flux between 0.7 and 6 MeV should only contribute 0.40 Roentgen Equivalent Man (rem) per year to the total radiation dose aboard a Mars Odyssey class spacecraft at solar maximum.
Long-range alpha detector (LRAD) sensitivity to beta contamination and soil moisture

Long-range alpha detector (LRAD) systems are designed to monitor alpha contamination by measuring the ionization in air formed by the alphas. Recent tests have been performed to determine the sensitivity of LRAD systems to beta contamination and soil moisture levels. These results and the general technology are discussed in this paper. >
Empirical Therapy for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in an Era of Increasing Antimicrobial Resistance: A Decision and Cost Analysis

Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines state that uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) should be treated empirically with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ), unless the community resistance among uropathogens exceeds 10%-20%, in which case a fluoroquinolone (FQ) should be used. However, the data to support this threshold are limited. We performed a cost-minimization and sensitivity analysis to determine what level of TMP-SMZ resistance in a community should trigger FQ use. The mean cost of empirical treatment with TMP-SMZ was US$92 when the proportion of resistant Escherichia coli was 0%, $106 when it was 20%, and $120 when it was 40%. The mean cost of empirical FQ treatment was $107 at current levels of FQ resistance. When >22% of E. coli in a community are TMP-SMZ-resistant, empirical FQ therapy becomes less costly than TMP-SMZ therapy. Treatment guidelines for empirical treatment of UTIs may need modification, and the threshold trigger for empirical FQ use should be raised to >20% TMP-SMZ resistance.
Coping with systems risk: security planning models for management decision making

The likelihood that the firm's information systems are insufficiently protected against certain kinds of damage or loss is known as "systems risk." Risk can be managed or reduced when managers are aware of the full range of controls available and implement the most effective controls. Unfortunately, they often lack this knowledge, and their subsequent actions to cope with systems risk are less effective than they might otherwise be. This is one viable explanation for why losses from computer abuse and computer disasters today are uncomfortably large and still so potentially devastating after many years of attempting to deal with the problem. Results of comparative qualitative studies in two information services Fortune 500 firms identify an approach that can effectively deal with the problem. This theory-based security program includes (1) use of a security risk planning model, (2) education/training in security awareness, and (3) Countermeasure Matrix analysis.
Bayesian reconstruction of signals invariant under a space-group symmetry from Fourier transform magnitudes

A Bayesian signal reconstruction problem, motivated by X-ray crystallography, which includes magnitude of Fourier transform measurements and a Markov random field a priori model was approximately solved by Doerschuk (see J. Opt. Soc. Amer. A, vol.8, no.8, p.1222-1232 and p.1207-1221, 1991). These ideas are extended to signals that obey a space-group symmetry, which is a crucial extension for X-ray crystallography application. Performance statistics based on simulated data are presented. >
"I Like to Jump on My Trampoline": An Analysis of Drawings From 8- to 12-Year-Old Children Beginning a Weight-Management Program

The main objective of this exploratory study was to assess children's perceptions of their activity choices as they began a weight-management program for overweight children and their families. During pretesting of a 10-week weight-management program, participating children were asked to draw pictures of themselves doing something. The drawings of 35 children, ages 8 to 12, were qualitatively analyzed. The analysis focused on (a) the type of activities (i.e., physical or sedentary) children chose to convey, (b) the specific focus of the activities described, (c) the children's future activity choices, and (d) the children's responses to the activities they drew. Seventy-one percent of the participating children drew themselves engaged in a physical activity. These results are notable and suggest positive perceptions of physical activities. Children's views related to their activity choices might play a role in designing weight-management programs that successfully increase children's adherence to long-term physical activity.
The impact of school finance litigation on resource distribution: a comparison of court-mandated equity and adequacy reforms.

While there is a wealth of research on school finance equity and adequacy, and school finance theory clearly documents differences between the two concepts, no study has examined whether the reforms engendered by each approach actually differ in terms of resource distribution. The present study examines the issues using district‐level data on expenditure by function from two, large national data‐sets: the US Census of Governments School System Finance File F‐33 (1972–2002) and the National Center for Education Statistics’ Longitudinal School District Fiscal–Nonfiscal File (1990–2000). A difference‐in‐differences estimator with state and year fixed effects indicates that both court‐mandated equity and adequacy reforms decrease resource inequities. However, estimates based on data from the F‐33 file show negligible differences between equity and adequacy reforms, while estimates based on data from the Fiscal–Nonfiscal File indicate adequacy reform does not decrease horizontal inequities as much as court‐man...
Understanding public health informatics competencies for mid-tier public health practitioners—a Web-based survey:

The literature suggests that there is a need for measuring public health informatics (PHI) competency to further understand whether current educational modules and modalities meet the needs of PHI practitioners and researchers to perform their jobs more effectively, particularly for mid-tier practitioners that constitute the majority of public health workers in the USA. The present study seeks to update current knowledge of the perceptions and experiences of PHI competencies proposed by the U.S. Council on Linkage in Public Health specifically for mid-tier PH practitioners and researchers. The results were collected and analyzed by using a Web-based survey (WBS) method administered among both practitioners and researchers. Researchers first compiled a draft list of candidate competency set by incorporating existing competency areas provided by: 1) the Council on Linkage; and by 2) those proposed by the USA's Centers for Disease Control CDC Public Health Informatics Work Group. Nine sets of competency statements with 120 competency items and demographic information of respondents were included in the WBS. The online survey instruments were pilot-tested accordingly to incorporate feedback from respondents of the pilot. Fifty-six subjects were recruited from PH experts who were: 1) members of the Health Informatics Information Technology (HIIT) group of American Public Health Association; and, 2) members from the Community of Science (COS) Website who were the first authors published in the PHI field from PubMed. The sample included diverse backgrounds of PHI workers. They expressed an increased need for training to improve their PHI competencies. Respondents agreed that four competency sets should be adequately represented, including Leadership and System Thinking Skills (82%), followed by Financial Planning and Management Skills (79%), Community Dimensions of Practice Skills (77%), and Policy Development/Program Planning Skills (63%). The findings parallel current literature indicating that there exists an expressed need for clarification of the public health practitioner's job-specific informatics competency. Findings of expressed needs for basic computer literacy training and community-based practice were consistent with those of the literature. Additional training and resources should be allocated to address the competency of leadership, management, community-based practice and policy advocacy skills for mid-tier public health practitioners to perform their jobs more effectively. Only when healthcare organizations properly identify PHI competency needs will public health practitioners likely improve their overall informatics skills while improving diversification for contribution across multiple settings.
Coupled influences of topography and wind on wildland fire behaviour

Ten simulations were performed with the HIGRAD/FIRETEC wildfire behaviour model in order to explore its utility in studying wildfire behaviour in inhomogeneous topography. The goal of these simulations is to explore the potential extent of the coupling between the fire, atmosphere, and topography. The ten simulations described in this paper include five different topographies, each run with two different ambient wind speeds of 6 and 12 m s–1. The five topologies explored are: an idealised hill (which serves as the base centerline for the other topographies), two variations of the hill with lateral gradients downwind from the ignition line (one sloping up from the ‘hill’ at the centerline to form an upward sloping canyon parallel to the ambient wind, and the other sloping down from the centerline to form a ridge parallel to the ambient flow), one with a second hill upwind of the ignition line such that the fire is ignited in the bottom of a canyon that runs perpendicular to the ambient wind, and finally a flat terrain. The four non-trivial topographies have the same profile along the centerline downwind of the ignition line to help assess the impacts of topographic gradients that are perpendicular to the ambient wind. It is hoped that analysis of these simulations will help reveal where point-functional models are sufficient, where topographically modified wind fields are needed, and where fully coupled fire and transport models are necessary to properly describe wildfire behaviour.
157 Examining Phytoplankton Communities with Environmental PCR

Recent advances in biotechnology have taken much of the guesswork out of many molecular biological procedures, and promote a high rate of success even for relative beginners. In designing the laboratory component of my Phycology course, I have taken advantage of these improved methods to develop a semester-long, molecular-based class project, using “environmental PCR” to examine phytoplankton diversity. Students learn a number of common molecular techniques within the context of dynamic and unrehearsed phycological research. This provides a greater appreciation of the general utility of molecular technology, and its application to algal systems in particular. A series of easy to follow protocols are linked together, allowing students to PCR amplify sequences from mixed environmental samples, clone the resulting fragments to separate individual sequences, screen the clones by restriction enzyme digests and sequence clones with clearly different restriction patterns. The resulting sequences then are used in BLAST searches of GenBank to determine the nearest available match among sequences annotated previously. The techniques allow both qualitative and quantitative estimates of the organisms present, as well as comparative analyses of the diversity observed through direct visual observations versus those recovered by PCR. Each step of the procedure can be accomplished in the duration of a typical 3 hour lab period, and most involve intervals of incubation that permit adequate time for other lab exercises, such as a survey algal diversity, on which traditional phycological laboratories are based.
Distributed transmit beamforming in cellular networks - a convex optimization perspective

This paper considers a scenario where multiple antenna base stations use transmit beamforming to communicate with single antenna mobiles with minimum receive signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) constraints. In this system, minimizing the total power expenditure requires solving a non-convex optimization problem. A semi-definite program (SDP) relaxation can be used to convert the non-convex problem to a centralized SDP that can be solved efficiently and optimally with convex optimization techniques. Using the properties of the dual of this SDP relaxation, a two-stage iterative algorithm is proposed to solve the decentralized version of the problem. In the first stage, limited amount of centralized feedback is used to find the optimum beamforming directions through distributed eigenvalue computations. The second stage uses the distributed autonomous power control technique proposed by Foschini and Miljanic for single antenna systems.
Major ice sheet response in eastern New England to a cold North Atlantic region, ca. 16–15 cal ka BP

A large ice sheet still covered almost all of Maine and eastern New England until ca. 15 cal ka BP, reaching south of 45 °S, despite rising summer insolation intensity and major ice recession elsewhere outside the North Atlantic region. Furthermore, the well-studied moraine belt along eastern coastal Maine, including the prominent Pineo Ridge delta/moraine complex and Pond Ridge moraine, indicates repeated readvances and stillstands between ca. 16 and 15 cal ka BP. This moraine belt reflects a considerable ice sheet response over eastern North America during this time period, coeval with the latter half of the European Oldest Dryas period. Moraine deposition was concurrent with reduction or elimination of North Atlantic meridional overturning, starting with the earlier onset of peak IRD and Heinrich Event 1 (HE-1). The existing 14 C chronology suggests that the coastal moraine belt and the persistence of the ice sheet until ∼15 cal ka BP was a response to the severe cooling of the North Atlantic region after ∼17 cal ka BP. © 2007 University of Washington. All rights reserved.
A comparison of inbred line and F1 testers for evaluating sorghum experimental lines in testcrosses

Abstract Selecting an effective tester for evaluating the hybrid performance and heterosis of new inbred lines is crucial to ensure their accurate evaluation. Most sorghum breeding programs use at least two elite inbred line testers when evaluating new inbred lines. These testcrosses provide valuable information, but the specificity of inbred line testers may incorrectly characterize experimental lines that would combine well with other genetic backgrounds. Reducing this risk by increasing the number of preliminary testcrosses is limited in breeding programs by resource availability. Efficiently diversifying testcrosses may be accomplished through the use of F1 testers. Testcrosses made with F1 testers simultaneously evaluate inbred lines against two genetic backgrounds. In preliminary testcrosses, this may reduce the probability of incorrectly discarding new lines or improve the efficiency of preliminary testcrossing. The objective of this research was to compare two sorghum inbred line testers to their respective F1 as a tester for evaluating sorghum inbred lines (R-lines) in testcrosses for grain yield. The testers used were A.Tx623, A.Tx2752 and their F1 hybrid, A.Tx623/B.Tx2752. Data from testcross hybrids from 33 different inbred lines grown in three environments indicated that the F1 tester was comparable in accuracy and discriminatory efficiency to the inbred line testers. The results indicated that a single cross tester in sorghum can serve to effectively evaluate new germplasm.
Weakly nonlinear Kelvin-Helmholtz waves

The Lagrangian L for gravity waves of finite amplitude in an N-layer, stratified shear flow is constructed as a functional of the generalized coordinates qv(t)≡ {qnv(t)} of the N + 1 interfaces, where the qnv are the Fourier coefficients in the expansion of the interfacial displacement ηv(x, t) in a complete, orthogonal set {ψn(x)}. The explicit expansion of L is constructed through fourth-order in the qnν and . Progressive interfacial waves and Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in a two-layer fluid are examined, and the earlier results of Drazin (1970), Nayfeh & Saric (1972) and Weissman (1979) are extended to finite depth. It is found that the pitchfork bifurcation associated with the critical point for Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, which is supercritical for infinitely deep layers, may be subcritical (inverted) for finite depths. The evolution equations that govern Kelvin–Helmholtz waves in the parametric neighbourhood of this critical point are shown to be equivalent to those for a particle in a two-parameter, central force field. The effect of surface tension is examined in an Appendix. Finally, the wave motion forced by flow over a sinusoidal bottom (as in Thorpe's tilting tank) is examined and the corresponding resonance curves and Hopf bifurcations determined. Numerical integrations reveal that stable limit cycles exist in some parametric neighbourhoods of these bifurcations. Period doubling was observed but did not lead to chaotic motion.
Positive periodic solutions in neutral nonlinear differential equations

We use Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem to show that the nonlinear neutral differential equation with delay d dt [x(t) ax(t �)] = r(t)x(t) f(t,x(t �)) has a positive periodic solution. An example will be provided as an application to our theorems.
Women, Men, and the Bedroom: Methodological and Conceptual Insights That Narrow, Reframe, and Eliminate Gender Differences in Sexuality

Many researchers have elucidated large, well-established, and reliable gender differences in sexuality, but relatively few have empirically examined conditions under which these differences can be eliminated. This article investigates some established sexuality gender differences in greater depth. We demonstrate how creative theoretical and empirical approaches may shed light on prevalent misconceptions concerning sex-related gender differences.
Electrochemically modulated complexation process for gas removal and concentration

An electrochemically modulated complexation process was designed to extract and concentrate a gas-phase solute. The process was based on flowthrough electrolysis cells that electrochemically modulate a liquid-phase mass-transfer agent between high and low solute affinity forms. The liquid phase in the high-affinity form contacts a feed gas phase for the extraction and contacts the receiving gas phase in the low-affinity form. The chemical system used to demonstrate the general process was a Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox couple in an acidic chloride electrolyte to both concentrate carbon monoxide against a pressure gradient and selectively separate it from a mixture with nitrogen. Experimental results and modeling of this process are reported. The kinetics of the electrolysis reactions in the flow cells are discussed within the context of rotating ring disk voltammetry experiments.
I Met Lucky People: The Story of the Romani Gypsies. By Yaron Matras. London: Allen Lane, Penguin Books, 2014, 276 pp.; ISBN 978-1-846-14481-3.

This is a book review of I met lucky people: The story of the Romani Gypsies , by Yaron Matras. The work is oriented for a general reading public, but it can be highly recommended for academics and policy makers as well.
An Industrial Strength Novelty Detection Framework for Autonomous Equipment Monitoring and Diagnostics

This paper presents a practical framework for autonomous monitoring of industrial equipment based on novelty detection. It overcomes limitations of current equipment monitoring technology by developing a “generic” structure that is relatively independent of the type of physical equipment under consideration. The kernel of the proposed approach is an “evolving” model based on unsupervised learning methods (reducing the need for human intervention). The framework employs procedures designed to temporally evolve the critical model parameters with experience for enhanced monitoring accuracy (a critical ability for mass deployment of the technology on a variety of equipment/hardware without needing extensive initial tune-up). Proposed approach makes explicit provision to characterize the distinct operating modes of the equipment, when necessary, and provides the ability to predict both abrupt as well as gradually developing (incipient) changes. The framework is realized as an autonomous software agent that continuously updates its decision model implementing an unsupervised recursive learning algorithm. Results of validation of the proposed methodology by accelerated testing experiments are also discussed.
QUANTIFYING HOME-RANGE OVERLAP: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE UTILIZATION DISTRIBUTION

The concept of an animal's home range has evolved over time, as have methods for estimating home-range size and shape. Recently, home-range estimation methods have focused on estimating an animal's utilization distribution (UD; i.e., the probability distribution defining the animal's use of space). We illustrate the importance of the utilization distribution in characterizing the degree of overlap between home ranges (e.g., when assessing site fidelity or space-use sharing among individuals). We compare several different statistics for their ability to accurately rank paired examples in terms of their degree of overlap. These examples illustrate limitations of indices commonly used to quantify home-range overlap and suggest that new overlap indices that are a function of the UD are likely to be more informative. We suggest 2 new statistics for measuring home-range overlap: (1) for a measure of space-use sharing, we suggest a generalization of Hurlbert's (1978) E/Euniform statistic, which we term the utilization distribution overlap index (UDOI), and (2) for a general measure of similarity between UD estimates, we suggest Bhattacharyya's affinity (BA; Bhattacharyya 1943). Using a short simulation study, we found that overlap indices can accurately rank pairs of UDs in terms of the extent of overlap, but estimates of overlap indices are likely to be biased. The extent of the bias depended on sample size and the degree of overlap (UDs with a high degree of overlap resulted in statistics that were more biased [low]), suggesting that comparisons across studies may be problematic. We illustrate the use of overlap indices to quantify the degree of similarity among UD estimates obtained using 2 different data collection methods (Global Positioning Systems [GPS] and very high frequency [VHF] radiotelemetry) for an adult female northern white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in north-central Minnesota.
Using non-covalent interactions to direct regioselective 2+2 photocycloaddition within a macrocyclic cavitand

The relative orientation of guests within ternary inclusion complexes is governed by the host–guest and guest–guest supramolecular interactions. Selectivity in 2+2 photocycloaddition between two alkenes included within a macrocyclic cavitand (γ-cyclodextrin) can be controlled using non-covalent interactions. In this manuscript, we report cavitand-mediated control of regioselectivity between alkyl cinnamates using non-covalent interactions. Using this method, we have shown that regioselectivity can be switched completely from a head-to-head dimer to a head-to-tail dimer. The reactions were also stereoselective in most cases. Stoichiometry experiments were performed to explore relative stabilities of the complexes, which indicate that the ternary complex is more stable than others. Selectivity in the photocycloaddition reaction was also applied retrospectively to deduce intermolecular orientations. Time-dependent conversion study we performed indicates that the observed reactivity of alkenes is representative of the intermolecular orientations in the bulk of the complex medium. Experimental observations and computational studies were used to qualitatively understand the complex structures, and relative magnitudes of the weak interactions. The reactions of complexes were studied in slurry form, and the extent of reaction control suggests a solid-state-like behavior.
Coupled formulation and algorithms for the simulation of non‐planar three‐dimensional hydraulic fractures using the generalized finite element method

Summary This paper presents a coupled hydro-mechanical formulation for the simulation of non-planar three-dimensional hydraulic fractures. Deformation in the rock is modeled using linear elasticity, and the lubrication theory is adopted for the fluid flow in the fracture. The governing equations of the fluid flow and elasticity and the subsequent discretization are fully coupled. A Generalized/eXtended Finite Element Method (G/XFEM) is adopted for the discretization of the coupled system of equations. A Newton–Raphson method is used to solve the resulting system of nonlinear equations. A discretization strategy for the fluid flow problem on non-planar three-dimensional surfaces and a computationally efficient strategy for handling time integration combined with mesh adaptivity are also presented. Several three-dimensional numerical verification examples are solved. The examples illustrate the generality and accuracy of the proposed coupled formulation and discretization strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mycobacterium bovis hip bursitis in a lung transplant recipient

We present a report of extrapulmonary Mycobacterium bovis infection in a lung transplant recipient. M. bovis is acquired predominantly by zoonotic transmission, particularly from consumption of unpasteurized foods. We discuss epidemiologic exposure, especially as relates to the Mexico-US border, clinical characteristics, resistance profile, and treatment.
Thioctic acid content and pyruvate oxidation in ethionine-damaged rat livers.

SummaryTerminal blood pyruvic acid level was elevated in rats with liver lesions induced by feeding a diet containing ethionine. Pyruvate oxidation by mitochondria from livers of these rats diminished. The hepatic content of thioctic acid was decreased relative to control animals; the thioctic acid content of liver mitochondria was also reduced. In vitro addition of thioctic acid did not stimulate the diminished hepatic mitochondrial pyruvic acid oxidation. Undiminished urinary excretion of thioctic acid, failure of thioctic acid injection to increase the diminished hepatic mitochondrial thioctic acid content, and normal kidney thioctic acid content suggest that total body thioctic acid synthesis is unimpaired but that hepatic thioctic acid “binding” is impaired, in rats fed a diet containing ethionine.
Make Your Enterprise Agile Transformation Initiative an Awesome Success

Organizations that want to seize market opportunities, or simply prosper in a long-term time frame, will need to accelerate their innovation and delivery while reducing time to customer feedback. Agile transformations are complex and if you are leading an Enterprise Agile Transformation initiative, then you are surely running into challenges not directly addressed by Agile Manifesto or by advices provided by expensive luminary consultants probably not agreeing each other. Enterprise Agile Transformation requires the application of agile and flexible principles through the software development life cycle, as well as within the organization, to eliminate waste and delivery cycle time and unnecessary work, focusing on delivering value. Based on IBM real experience in successful large organization transitions, this paper will focus on the key aspects of enterprise agile transformation initiative and will help you on leading your transformation initiative at your organization in order to better prepare you to achieve a final success.
Archaeological Survey and Testing: Castroville's County Village, Unit One, Medina County, Texas

During October 24-26, 1984, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), The University of Texas at San Antonio (uTSA), conducted a survey of approximately 30 acres of a housing development site on the northeast edge of Castrov ill e in Med i na County, Texas. The su rvey was requ i red as part of Veterans Administration grant application. One area within the development zone was found to have a light surface scatter of cultural materials. This lithic scatter was recorded and assigned a permanent state site designation (41 ME 31). Shovel tests throughout the site area failed to produce any subsurface cultural material, and we recommend that no further work is needed. The cultural resource found within the survey area was determined not to be s1gnificant, and therefore not eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. .
Building a Better Speed Trap: Innovation Attributes and the Measurement and Modeling of Diffusion Speed∗

Recent research demonstrates how characteristics of policy innovations condition the likelihood they will spread throughout the American states, as well as the likelihood that they will be adopted quickly. I build on this work in two ways. First, I develop a continuous measure of speed that allows researchers to examine how innovation attributes affect how quickly a policy spreads. Second, I propose measures of four general innovation attributes --- relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, and observability --- and test their relationship with diffusion speed using a dataset of 116 policies from 15 different policy domains. I am able to confirm the interactive effect of complexity and observability on diffusion speed, while also identifying the positive impact of both relative advantage and compatibility. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that attributes can be measured reliably for a broad range of policies.
Maternal and fetal outcomes after therapy for hodgkin or non-hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed during pregnancy

Importance The management of lymphoma diagnosed during pregnancy is controversial and has been guided largely by findings from case reports and small series. Objective To determine maternal and fetal outcomes of women diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) during pregnancy. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective analysis studied a cohort of 39 pregnant women diagnosed with HL and NHL (31 HL and 8 NHL) at a single specialized cancer institution between January 1991 and December 2014. Main Outcomes and Measures We examined data on disease and treatment characteristics, as well as maternal and fetal complications and outcomes. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) according to receipt of antenatal therapy and other clinical factors. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by using Cox proportional hazard regression models to identify potential associations between clinical and treatment factors and survival. Results The median (range) age of the 39 women in the patient cohort was 28 (19-38) years; 32 women (82%) had stage I or II disease at diagnosis, and 13 had bulky disease. Three women electively terminated the pregnancy to allow immediate systemic therapy; of the remaining 36 women, 24 received antenatal therapy (doxorubicin based combination chemotherapy in 20 of 24 patients), and 12 deferred therapy until after delivery. Four women experienced miscarriage, all of whom had received antenatal systemic therapy and 2 during the first trimester. Delivery occurred at a median (range) of 37 (32-42) weeks and was no different based on receipt of antenatal (median [range], 37 [33-42] weeks) vs postnatal (median [range], 37 [32-42] weeks) therapy ( P = .21). No gross fetal malformations or anomalies were detected. At a median (range) follow-up time of 67.9 (8.8-277.5) months since the diagnosis of lymphoma, 5-year rates of PFS and OS were 74.7% and 82.4%, respectively; these rates did not differ according to timing of therapy. On univariate analysis, bulky disease (>10 cm), extranodal nonbone marrow involvement, and poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, ≥2) predicted increased risk of disease progression. On multivariate analysis, extranodal nonbone marrow disease and performance status remained significant for both PFS and OS. Conclusions and Relevance Systemic therapy given for lymphoma after the first trimester of pregnancy is likely safe and results in acceptable maternal and fetal outcomes.
"Spare the cough, spoil the airway:" back to the basics in airway clearance.

Cough is the natural defense mechanism for protection of the respiratory tract. It is used to mobilize and remove secretions from the respiratory tree, moving them from the peripheral to the central airways. Effective airway clearance for individuals with cystic fibrosis is an essential component of daily therapy because of the thick and tenacious secretions that accumulate in their airways. Regardless of the airway clearance method used, effective coughing is the key part of the process. Understanding airway physiology and utilizing the equal pressure point and the collateral ventilation system between airways will make airway clearance activities most effective. Finding a match between an effective airway clearance method that uses cough effectively and a patient's preference is the challenge for the care provider.
Experimental Demonstration of a Heat Pipe–Stirling Engine Nuclear Reactor

Los Alamos National Laboratory and Glenn Research Center with the help of National Security Technologies demonstrated the use of a nuclear fission system as a power source that transferred heat via...
Radiation-Induced Segregation

A profound consequence of irradiation at elevated temperature is the spatial redistribution of solute and impurity elements in the metal. This phenomenon leads to the enrichment or depletion of alloying elements in regions near surfaces, dislocations, voids, grain boundaries, and phase boundaries. Figure 6.1 shows a plot of solute element profiles across a grain boundary in stainless steel irradiated in a reactor to a dose of several dpa at about 300 °C. There is significant depletion of chromium, molybdenum, and iron and enrichment of nickel and silicon. Such drastic changes at the grain boundary will cause changes in the local properties of the solid and may induce susceptibility to a host of processes that can degrade the integrity of the component. For this reason, understanding radiation-induced segregation (RIS) is of great importance for reactor performance.
Cardiac Arrest-Induced Global Brain Hypoxia-Ischemia during Development Affects Spontaneous Activity Organization in Rat Sensory and Motor Thalamocortical Circuits during Adulthood.

Normal maturation of sensory information processing in the cortex requires patterned synaptic activity during developmentally regulated critical periods. During early development, spontaneous synaptic activity establishes required patterns of synaptic input, and during later development, it influences patterns of sensory experience-dependent neuronal firing. Thalamocortical neurons occupy a critical position in regulating flow of patterned sensory information from the periphery to the cortex. Abnormal thalamocortical inputs may permanently affect the organization and function of cortical neuronal circuits, especially if they occur during a critical developmental window. We examined the effect of cardiac arrest-associated global brain hypoxia-ischemia in developing rats on spontaneous and evoked firing of somatosensory thalamocortical neurons and on large-scale correlations in the motor thalamocortical circuit. The mean spontaneous and sensory-evoked firing rate activity and variability were higher in cardiac arrest (CA) injured rats. Furthermore, spontaneous and sensory-evoked activity and variability were correlated in uninjured rats but not correlated in neurons from CA rats. Abnormal activity patterns of VPm neurons persisted into adulthood. Additionally, we found that neurons in the entopeduncular nucleus (EPN) in the basal ganglia had lower firing rates yet had higher variability and higher levels of burst firing after injury. Correlated levels of power in local field potentials between the EPN and the motor cortex (MCx) were also disrupted with injury. Our findings indicate that hypoxic-ischemic injury during development leads to abnormal spontaneous and sensory stimulus-evoked input patterns from thalamus to cortex. Abnormal thalamic inputs likely permanently and detrimentally affect organization of cortical circuitry and processing of sensory information. Hypoxic-ischemic injury also leads to abnormal single neuron and population level activity in the basal ganglia that may contribute to motor dysfunction after injury. Combination of deficits in sensory and motor thalamocortical circuit function may negatively impact sensorimotor integration in cardiac arrest survivors. Modulation of abnormal activity patterns post-injury may represent a novel therapeutic target to improve neurologic function in survivors.
Gold-Catalyzed Vinyl Ether Hydroalkynylation: An Alternative Pathway for the Gold-Catalyzed Intermolecular Reaction of Alkenes and Alkynes

In this report, the gold-catalyzed intermolecular reaction of vinyl ethers and terminal alkynes is investigated. Utilizing a triazole gold catalyst lessens gold decomposition in the presence of the vinyl ether and affords an alkynylation product instead of the [2 + 2] product. This protocol has been expanded to include glycal substrates, which undergo a one-pot alkynylation–Ferrier reaction to produce functionalized sugars in moderate to excellent yields with high diastereoselectivity.
Genome-wide interactions between FSH and insulin-like growth factors in the regulation of human granulosa cell differentiation.

Study question Is the genome-wide response of human cumulus cells to FSH and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) comparable to the response observed in undifferentiated granulosa cells (GCs)? Summary answer FSH actions in human cumulus cells mimic those observed in preantral undifferentiated GCs from laboratory animals, and approximately half of the regulated genes are dependent on the simultaneous activation of the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R). What is known already Animal studies have shown that FSH and the IGFs system are required for follicle growth and maturation. In humans, IGF levels in the follicular fluid correlate with patients' responses to IVF protocols. The main targets of FSH and IGFs in the ovary are the GCs; however, the genomic mechanisms involved in the response of GCs to these hormones are unknown. Study design, size, duration Human cumulus cells isolated from IVF patients were cultured for 48 h in serum-free media in the presence of vehicle, FSH, IGF1R inhibitor or their combination. Participants/materials, setting, methods Discarded cumulus cells were donated to research by reproductive-aged women undergoing IVF due to non-ovarian etiologies of infertility at a university-affiliated clinic. The effect of FSH and/or IGF1R inhibition on cumulus cell function was evaluated using Affymetrix microarrays, quantitative PCR, western blot, promoter assays and hormone level measurements. Main results and the role of chance The findings demonstrate that human cumulus cells from IVF patients respond to FSH with the expression of genes known to be markers of the preantral to preovulatory differentiation of GCs. These results also demonstrate that ~50% of FSH-regulated genes require IGF1R activity and suggest that several aspects of follicle growth are coordinately regulated by FSH and IGFs in humans. This novel approach will allow for future mechanistic and molecular studies on the regulation of human follicle maturation. Large scale data Data set can be accessed at Gene Expression Omnibus number GSE86427. Limitations, reasons for caution Experiments were performed using primary human cumulus cells. This may not represent the response of intact follicles. Wider implications of the findings Understanding the mechanisms involved in the regulation of GC differentiation by FSH and IGF in humans will contribute to improving treatments for infertility. Study funding/competing interest(s) The project was financed by the National Instituted of Health grant number R56HD086054 and R01HD057110 (C.S.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. We have no competing interests to declare.
CLINICAL AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC PREDICTORS OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN TRAUMA PATIENTS

Background: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia after trauma or burn injury, its predisposing factors are not clearly known. Moreover, little is known on its effect on mortality and other short-term clinical outcomes. This study aimed at identifying the risk factors for new
Birth Outcomes Among US Women With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Background Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are bearing children at increasing rates. However, there is very little research about pregnancy experiences and birth outcomes among women with IDD. No studies to date have examined birth outcomes with a US population-based sample.
Comparison of in-vivo and in-vitro MRI RF heating for orthopedic implant at 3 tesla

The comparison was made to illustrate the factor, which leads to the difference of radiofrequency induced heating associated with implants between in-vivo and in-vitro. The simulations of virtual adult male and ASTM phantom, with a group of orthopedic plate implants, were performed in a body-sized birdcage coil driven at 128MHz. For femur and humerus orthopedic plate implants with various dimension, the trend of the maximum specific energy absorption rate averaged over any 1 g of medium varies from in-vivo to in-vitro cases, even opposites to each other. Although further study is required, initial simulations indicate that the in-vitro measurement of the maximum specific energy absorption rate averaged over any 1 g of tissue with ASTM F2182 test method is different from in-vivo results due to the discrepancy of incident field and medium.
Headless compression screw for horizontal medial malleolus fractures.

Abstract Background Horizontal medial malleolus fractures are caused by the application of rotational force through the ankle joint in several orientations. Multiple techniques are available for the fixation of medial malleolar fractures. Methods Horizontal medial malleolus osteotomies were performed in eighteen synthetic distal tibiae and randomized into two fixation groups: 1) two parallel unicortical cancellous screws or 2) two Acutrak 2 headless compression screws. Specimens were subjected to offset axial tension loading. Frontal plane interfragmentary motion was monitored. Findings The headless compression group (1699 (SD 947) N/mm) had significantly greater proximal-distal stiffness than the unicortical group (668 (SD 298) N/mm), (P = 0.012). Similarly, the headless compression group (604 (SD 148) N/mm) had significantly greater medial-lateral stiffness than the unicortical group (281 (SD 152) N/mm), (P Interpretation A headless compression screw construct was significantly stiffer in both the proximal-distal and medial-lateral directions, indicating greater resistance to both axial and shear loading. Additionally, they had significantly greater load at clinical failure based on lateral displacement. The low-profile design of the headless compression screw minimizes soft tissue irritation and reduces need for implant removal.