cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Manual of Guidelines to Score the Modified Cumulative Illness Rating Scale and Its Validation in Acute Hospitalized Elderly Patients

OBJECTIVES: To update previous guidelines to score the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) and test their usefulness in hospitalized elderly patients. DESIGN: The CIRS was scored retrospectively in a cohort of elderly patients followed for 18 months. SETTING: An acute internal medicine ward in an academic tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred eighty-seven patients aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: The CIRS was retrospectively scored for the enrolled patients. Intrarater and interrater reliability were calculated. Two illness severity indices (total score (TSC) and severity (SV)) and one comorbidity index (CM) were obtained. Clinical features and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) variables were also used. All patients underwent an 18-month follow-up for mortality and rehospitalization. RESULTS: Intrarater and interrater reliability of the CIRS scored following the guidelines was good (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.83 and 0.81, respectively). The TSC, SV, and CM correlated with clinical features (laboratory values, medication usage, and length of in-hospital stay) and CGA variables (cognitive impairment, depression and disability). All three indices were able to predict 18-month mortality and rehospitalization rates. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the validity of the CIRS as an indicator of health status and demonstrated its ability to predict 18-month mortality and rehospitalization in hospitalized elderly patients. The availability of detailed guidelines for scoring the CIRS can improve its usefulness and facilitate more-widespread use for research and clinical aims.
Gender Participation in Forestry and Agro-Forestry Practices in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

This study examined the level of gender participation in forestry practices in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the gender distribution of operators among various economic activities in forestry practices and gender differences in income. Data were collected on the marital status, age, educational qualification, number of years of experience in forestry/agroforestry practices, income and challenges encountered from 91 respondents drawn by simple random sampling technique. The data were collected by using copies of a structured questionnaire and were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings, among others, were that: though there was significant difference in gender distribution by occupation within the subsector, there was no significant gender disparity in gender involvement in terms of number; there was no significant gender difference in the educational qualifications of the operators. Furthermore, that a sizeable proportion of single again women depend on forest resources for their livelihood; that a good proportion of the female in the subsector had no alternative opportunity, finally that there was no significant gender difference in income. We conclude that the forestry economy has high potential for the pursuit of gender equality and for poverty alleviation and recommend that policies and programmes directed towards poverty alleviation in the subsector should, however, be gender sensitive.
Susceptibility to sexual victimization and women's mating strategies

Women show stable individual differences in mating strategies ranging from short-term to long-term. Short-term mating strategies may put women at greater risk of sexual victimization through increased exposure to risky situations or to men most inclined to pursue a strategy of sexual coercion. To test these predictions, we studied female college students who had experienced a completed rape, an attempted sexual victimization, or no sexual victimization. Women's mating strategies were assessed through the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory. Victims further reported whether they engaged in consensual inti- mate behaviors with their victimizer before or after the victimization. Victims of completed rape scored highest on short-term mating strategy pursuit; non-victims scored lowest; women experiencing attempted victimization scored between these two groups. Victims of completed rape also more frequently reported consensual kissing and intercourse with their victimizer before and after the victimization than women who experienced attempted victimization. The findings of this study should not be interpreted as blaming the victim, but rather as identifying circumstances that put women at greater risk. Clearly, perpetrators are to blame for sexual victimization. Discussion focuses on future research directions and on practical implications for reducing rates of sexual victimization. 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Field Degradation of Memory Components from Hot Carriers

Over the past three years IBM has experienced two independent component field incidents from hot carriers. Each of these events occurred on procured memory devices. We will investigate root cause failure analysis, stresses performed, failure modeling, and pertinent application conditions. We will conclude by showing how application voltages and duty cycle play critical roles in hot carrier degradation.
A broadcast-probability approach to the control of vast DOF cellular actuators

A broadcast-probability approach for the coordination of a vast number of actuators is proposed. We consider an actuator that consists of many "cellular" actuator units like human muscles. Each local unit has a decision-making unit which decides whether to accept or ignore the broadcasted control signal in a stochastic manner. We demonstrate through simulation that centralized coordination is unnecessary, and redundancy and randomness of the system improve the performance
Hardness results for approximate hypergraph coloring

(MATH) Guruswami et al [6] show the hardness of coloring 2-colorable 4-uniform hypergraphs on n vertices with ω(log log n \over log log log n}) colors assuming NP $\not\subseteq$ DTIME(nO log log n)). We obtain a stronger hardness result for approximate coloring of p-colorable 4-uniform hypergraphs for any fixed integer p ≥ 7. We prove that there exists an absolute constant c p ≥ 7, it is hard to color a p-colorable 4-uniform hypergraph with (log n)cp colors assuming NP $\not \subseteq$ DTIME(2(log n)O(1)).This work builds on the idea of "covering complexity" of probabilistically checkable proof systems (PCPs) developed in [6] and we introduce some new techniques as well. Firstly, we define a new code which we call the Split Code. This is a variation of the Long Code, but much shorter in length and it reduces the proof size significantly. Split Codes enable us to exploit the special structure of the "outer PCP verifier" constructed via Raz's Parallel Repetition Theorem [18]. Secondly, we make a novel use of the Split Codes over the domain GF(p) for a prime p. Working over non-boolean domain in fact makes our proof technically simpler than the proof of Guruswami at al [6].
Endovascular management of blunt traumatic renal artery dissection.

Purpose:To describe the importance of accurate diagnosis and successful emergent endovascular repair of intimal injury to the renal artery from sudden deceleration.Case Report:A 22-year-old man was evaluated after jumping head first out of a fourth floor window. Gross hematuria was detected at the initial assessment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed diminished uptake in the right kidney. Arteriographic examination of the renal artery demonstrated 2 areas of intimal disruption, which a team of physicians decided to treat with angioplasty and stent placement owing to the associated intracranial injuries. Two balloon-expandable stents were successfully deployed to exclude the intimal defects. Once the associated injuries were also addressed, the patient made an uneventful recovery.Conclusions:Management of blunt traumatic injuries to the renal vasculature involves timely assessment to maximize preservation of renal function. In the setting of multiple concomitant injuries, recent experienc...
Using MM5 to Hindcast the Ocean Surface Forcing Fields over the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank Region

The fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) is applied to the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank (GoM/GB) region. This model is configured with two numerical domains with horizontal resolutions of 30 and 10 km, respectively, and driven by the NCAR-Eta weather model through a nested grid approach. Comparison of model-computed winds, wind stress, and heat flux with in situ data collected on moored meteorological buoys in the western GoM and over GB in 1995 shows that during the passage of atmospheric fronts over this region, MM5 provides a reasonable prediction of wind speed but not wind direction, and provides a relatively accurate estimation of longwave radiation but overestimates sensible and latent fluxes. The nudging data assimilation approach with inclusion of in situ wind data significantly improves the accuracy of the predicted wind speed and direction. Incorporation of the Fairall et al. air–sea flux algorithms with inclusion of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)derived SST improves the accuracy of the predicted latent and sensible heat fluxes in the GoM/GB region for both stable and unstable weather conditions.
Rain compensation algorithm for ACTS mobile terminal

The initial advanced communication technology satellite (ACTS) mobile terminal (AMT) demonstrations will involve two-way communications between the high-bit-rate link evaluation terminal (HBR-LET), which is a fixed terminal (FT), and a van-housed mobile terminal (MT). The HBR-LET has the capability of adjusting its transmitted uplink power over an approximately 10 dB range to compensate for forward uplink rain attenuation. However, because of size and weight limitations, the MET cannot use power control as a rain compensation technique. Consequently, the AMT rain compensation algorithm (RCA) is based on a formula for varying the transmitted data rate in either direction to maintain link performance within acceptable limits. The objective of the AMT RCA is to ensure reliable operation in both the forward and return directions despite the possibility of uplink or downlink fading due to rain events in the vicinity of the FT or MT. In particular, the RCA must maintain at least a 3 dB link margin at the highest possible transmission rate (AMT can operate at 9.6, 4.8, or 2.4 kb/s) permitted by the prevailing channel conditions. The 3 dB minimum link margin is a system design safety factor to accommodate conceivable implementation losses. >
Optical imaging of kidney cancer with novel near-infrared heptamethine carbocyanine fluorescent dyes

Purpose: We assessed the application of near infrared heptamethine carbocyanine dyes, including IR-783 and the synthetic analogue MHI-148, as optical imaging agents for the rapid detection of human kidney cancer.Materials and Methods: The uptake, retention and subcellular localization of these organic dyes were investigated in cultured kidney cancer cells. Tumor specificity of dye uptake and retention was evaluated by whole body imaging of mice bearing human kidney cancer xenografts or freshly harvested clinical kidney cancer specimens. In addition, dye accumulation at the tissue and cellular levels was confirmed by ex vivo studies with results confirmed by fluorescence imaging of frozen tissue sections. Peripheral blood spiked with kidney cancer cells was stained to simulate the detection of circulating tumor cells.Results: Preferential uptake and retention of carbocyanine near infrared dyes was observed in cultured human kidney cancer cells, human kidney cancer cell spiked whole blood, human kidney canc...
Geographic inequity results in disparate mortality: a multivariate intent‐to‐treat analysis of liver transplant data

Context The distribution of livers to listed transplant candidates shows substantial geographic inequity. Objective To compare mortality between the 11 UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing) regions from the time of listing and to show that the geographic region impacts survival. Design, Setting, and Patients We studied the data of 1930 adults listed with a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 18 for a liver transplant from March 1, 2002 through December 31, 2007. We calculated one- and three-yr survival rates and performed multivariate Cox regression analysis to determine significant risk factors for mortality. Main Outcome Measures Patient survival from the time of listing for transplantation. Results Actual one-yr mortality rate from the time of listing ranged from 30.5% (Region 2) to 12.9% (Region 4). The three-yr mortality rate ranged from 42.0% (Region 2) to 21.6% (Region 4). Multivariate analysis showed a significant increase in mortality in Region 2 (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.83) and a significant decrease in mortality in Region 3 (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.93). Conclusions We found significant differences in one- and three-yr mortality rates among UNOS regions. Regional disparities significantly affect patient survival and result in national inequality.
Egg prices revisited

Recent egg price quotes are evaluated in a vector autoregression. The results indicate that empirical relationships observed over the period 1975-1976 differ from those observed over the period 1979-1982.
Tissue conductivity modifies the magnetic resonance intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio at high frequencies.

Inclusion of a frequency-dependent tissue conductivity in the calculation of the magnetic resonance imaging signal-to-noise ratio is considered. The linear dependence of field strength described previously by Edelstein is preserved for frequencies up to ≈60 MHz. At higher frequencies, tissue conductivity effects become significant. © 1992 Academic Press, Inc.
Maternal Attitudes of Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Upper Middle Class Women

The Mother-Child Relationship Evaluation and the Maryland Parent Attitude Survey were administered to 30 alcoholic mothers and 30 nonalcoholic mothers. All subjects came from professional-managerial households and had two or more children between the ages of 8 and 18. The two groups differed significantly on both tests. The alcoholic women were less accepting, more rejecting, disciplinarian, or overprotecting, and they displayed a significantly greater degree of conflicting attitudes. This pattern resembles that found in alcoholic parents of either sex and of widely differing socioeconomic status.
Medical marijuana, American federalism, and the Supreme Court.

IN GONZALEZ V RAICH, THE US SUPREME COURT HELD THAT federal law enforcement authorities could criminally prosecute patients for possessing marijuana prescribed by a physician in accordance with state law. The Court did not overturn state medical marijuana laws but did open the door to criminal prosecution under federal drug statutes. The Court also did not foreclose future challenges to federal enforcement on other constitutional grounds (eg, an unwarranted invasion of patient-physician privacy). Explaining the significance of Raich requires examination of 2 issues. The first concerns American federalism and raises an important constitutional principle about the appropriate scope of federal public health powers. The second issue concerns the use of marijuana as a medical treatment and raises intriguing questions about the practice of medicine and the patient-physician relationship. In Raich, the Supreme Court pointedly questioned the wisdom of prosecuting patients: “The case is made difficult by respondents’ strong arguments that they will suffer irreparable harm because . . . marijuana does have valid therapeutic purposes. The question before us, however, is not whether [the policy] is wise, [but] whether Congress has the power to regulate . . . medicinal substances . . . produced and consumed locally.”
An optical CDMA system based on spectral encoding of LED

A optical code-division multiple access (CDMA) system based on amplitude spectral encoding of low-cost broadband sources such as light-emitting diodes is presented. The proposed system uses a standard nondispersive lens-grating apparatus and simple direct-detection receivers. It is shown that by assigning to N subscribers the N cycles shifts of a single unipolar m-sequence of period N, complete orthogonality between the users can be achieved, provided that the spectrum is properly equalized. It is also shown that without any equalization, and for N=511, up to 200 users can transmit asynchronously with an average error probability equal to 10/sup -9/, depending on the received power level. An aggregate network throughput of 100 Gb/s can therefore be obtained. >
Shipwreck at Cape Flora: The Expeditions of Benjamin Leigh Smith, England's Forgotten Arctic Explorer

A biography of Benjamin Leigh Smith (1828–1913) is probably about a century overdue. It would never have been an autobiography given his diffidence and his refusal to seek personal publicity for th...
How uncertainty in the neutral wind limits the accuracy of ionospheric modeling and forecasting

One of the most important input fields for an ionospheric model is the horizontal neutral wind. The primary mechanism by which the neutral wind affects ionospheric densities is the inducement of an upward or downward ion drift along the magnetic field lines; this affects the rate at which ions are lost through recombination. The magnitude of this effect depends upon the dip angle of the magnetic field; for this reason, the impact of the neutral wind is somewhat less in polar regions than at mid-latitudes. It is unfortunate that observations of the neutral wind are relatively scarce, as compared for example with observations of the Earth's electric field or auroral precipitation, and that the existing climatological models of the neutral wind are thus sharply limited in theirresolution. The observational data base of thermospheric winds is not sufficient to adequately constrain a three-dimensional model across a variety of conditions such as solar cycle, season, geomagnetic activity, and so on. Using the physics-based Time Dependent Ionospheric Model (TDIM) of Utah State University, we look for a quantitative answer to this question: How severe is the limitation imposed on ionospheric models by an uncertain specification of the neutral wind? We find that ionospheric modeling depends upon a detailed specification of the neutral wind to the extent that, if a climatologically averaged wind model is being used as a driver, this will lead to unavoidable uncertainties of 20-30% in the modeled F-region densities or Total Electron Content (TEC).
Chip‐Scale Fabrication of High‐Q All‐Glass Toroidal Microresonators for Single‐Particle Label‐Free Imaging

Whispering-gallery-mode microresonators enable materials for single-molecule label-free detection and imaging because of their high sensitivity to their micro-environment. However, fabrication and materials challenges prevent scalability and limit functionality. All-glass on-chip microresonators significantly reduce these difficulties. Construction of all-glass toroidal microresonators with high quality factor and low mode volume is reported and these are used as platforms for label-free single-particle imaging.
Energy Grade Line Assessment for Tapered Microirrigation Laterals

AbstractIn pressurized irrigation systems the total long-term costs can often be minimized by dividing the pipeline into segments of different diameters. To properly design such a system requires a...
Conversion of Rubber into Thermoplastic Products with Properties Similar to Gutta-Percha, Balata, and Shellac. I—Methods of Preparation and General Properties

Abstract By heating in sheet form a mixture of rubber with approximately 10 per cent of its weight of either an organic sulfonyl chloride or an organic sulfonic acid, for several hours at 125–35° C., the rubber is converted into tough, thermoplastic products resembling gutta-percha and hard balata. If heated similarly in bulk there is a pronounced exothermic reaction and the products formed are hard and thermoplastic like shellac. p-Toluenesulfonyl chloride and p-toluenesulfonic acid are suitable reagents. A mixture of 7.5 parts of p-phenolsulfonic acid and 100 parts of rubber, under similar conditions, gives a flexible product similar to gutta-percha, which is soluble in benzene, is a very good adhesive, and is the basis of the Vulcalock process.
A second specimen of the pterosaurAnurognathus ammoni

A new complete and fully articulated specimen of the anurognathid pterosaurAnurognathus ammoni from the Upper Jurassic Solnhofen Limestone of southern Germany provides new information about the species. The skull is broader than long and quite tall. The naris and antorbital fenestra are both small and anteriorly placed, whereas the orbit is very large. The palatal elements are slender struts of bone separating large openings. The tail is short, but is neither pygostyle-like nor like that of pterodactyloids. The wingfinger, unlike that of almost all pterosaurs, is reduced to three phalanges. Pedal digit V bears two long phalanges. Reexamination of the holotype specimen revealed evidence of bony bumps on the premaxilla and dentary that may have been associated with a fringe of bristles around the mouth.Anurognathus and the other anurognathids were probably adapted to aerial insectivory in low light conditions like extant caprimulgids and insectivorous bats, and may have spent little time on the ground. The taxonomy of the Anurognathidae is reviewed and new diagnoses are presented. A cladistic analysis supports the interpretation that the Anurognathidae is the sister-group to all other pterosaurs.
Hegel y Aristóteles: Una lectura de Metafísica XII, 7,1072b 18-30

The author offers a Hegelian interpretation of Metaphysics XII, 7, 1072b 18-30, the passage with which the Encyclopedia of the Philosophical Sciences concludes. Here the relations and similarities that exist between Aristotle's Unmoved Mover and Hegel's Absolute are sketched. In order to understand in which points both thinkers coincide when describing divine thought, it is highly important to analyze the notions of thought, movement, power, act, concept, object, material substance, formal substance and suprasensible substance. The interpretative turn that Hegel gives to the Metaphysics and the comparative reading here offered, point towards a better understanding of the nature of the Unmoved Mover and the Absolute.
Regional chlorophyll a algorithms in the Arctic Ocean and their effect on satellite-derived primary production estimates

The Arctic is warming at approximately twice the global rate in response to anthropogenic climate change, resulting in disappearing sea ice, increased open water area, and a longer growing season (IPCC, 2013). This loss of sea ice has resulted in a 30% increase in annual net primary production (NPP) by Arctic Ocean phytoplankton between 1998 and 2012 (Arrigo and van Dijken, 2015). To quantify NPP, many algorithms require input of chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration, which serves as a biomass proxy for phytoplankton. While satellites provide temporally and spatially extensive data, including Chl a, the standard global ocean color algorithms are prone to errors in Arctic Ocean waters due to higher than average phytoplankton pigment-packaging and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) concentrations. Here, we evaluate retrievals of Chl a using existing ocean color algorithms, test and develop a new empirical ocean color algorithm for use in the Chukchi Sea, and evaluate the effect of using different satellite Chl a products as input to an NPP algorithm. Our results show that in the Chukchi Sea, Chl a was overestimated by the global algorithm (MODIS OC3Mv6) at concentrations lower than 0.9 mg m−3 because of contamination by CDOM absorption, but underestimated at higher concentrations because of pigment packaging. Only within the in situ Chl a range of 0.6–2 mg a m−3 was the satellite retrieval error by the OC3Mv6 algorithm below the ocean color community goal of <35%. Using coincident in situ Chl a concentrations and optical data, a new linear empirical algorithm is developed (OC3L) that yields the lowest statistical error when estimating Chl a in the Chukchi Sea, compared to existing ocean color algorithms (OC3Mv6, OC4L, OC4P). When we estimated regional NPP using different Chl a satellite products as input, three distinct bio-optical provinces within the Arctic Ocean emerged. These provinces correspond to the inflow shelves, interior shelves, and outflow shelves+deep basin as defined by Carmack et al. (2006). Eleven sub-regions within the Arctic Ocean were grouped into each of these three provinces based on their mean value for R, the ratio of blue to green remote sensing reflectance (RRS). Our results suggest that three algorithms tuned to each of the three bio-optical provinces may be sufficient to capture the bio-optical heterogeneity within the Arctic Ocean. Currently, only within the inflow shelf province do we feel confident that Chl a and NPP can be accurately estimated by satellite using the OC3L algorithm. The interior and outflow shelf+basin provinces require development of ocean color algorithms specific to their respective bio-optical conditions.
Glucocorticoid receptors in pituitary tumor cells. I. Cytosol receptors.

Abstract A receptor with specificity and high affinity for glucocorticoid hormones has been identified and partially characterized in the cytoplasmic fraction of AtT-20 mouse pituitary tumor cells grown in tissue culture. The binding of triamcinolone acetonide, a potent synthetic glucocorticoid, was analyzed using the high speed supernatant or cytosol fraction from homogenates of these cells. The interaction with [3H]triamcinolone acetonide had an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of about 1.0 x 10-9 m and a second order association rate constant of 2.2 x 105 m-1s-1 at 0°. The triamcinolone-receptor complex was stable at 0°, but the binding activity of the receptor was labile in the absence of bound steroid. The receptor activity was destroyed by heating to 60° and by treatment with Pronase and N-ethylmaleimide, but not by deoxyribonuclease or ribonuclease. The size of the cytoplasmic binding component was estimated by sucrose gradient centrifugation studies. The complex had a sedimentation coefficient of about 5.4 S in 0.01 m KCl and 4 S in 0.4 m KCl. The binding of [3H]triamcinolone acetonide to the cytosol receptor was largely inhibited by unlabeled corticosterone and dexamethasone and partially reduced by cortisol, progesterone, deoxycorticosterone, and aldosterone, but unaffected by estradiol, testosterone, or dihydrotestosterone at the concentrations tested. A functional role for these receptors in the regulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production is supported by the correlation between effectiveness of the glucocorticoids in competing with triamcinolone binding and their ability to reduce ACTH levels in cell incubation studies.
Effect of increased tissue oxygen uptake on autoregulation in postnatal intestine.

To determine whether the rate of tissue oxygen utilization affects pressure-flow autoregulation in an age-dependent fashion in postnatal swine intestine, in vitro gut loops from 3- and 35-day-old s...
Universal Pulse Oximetry Screening for Early Detection of Critical Congenital Heart Disease

Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a major cause of infant death and morbidity worldwide. An early diagnosis and timely intervention can significantly reduce the likelihood of an adverse outcome. However, studies from the United States and other developed countries have shown that as many as 30%–50% of infants with CCHD are discharged after birth without being identified. This diagnostic gap is likely to be even higher in low-resource countries. Several large randomized trials have shown that the use of universal pulse-oximetry screening (POS) at the time of discharge from birth hospital can help in early diagnosis of these infants. The objective of this review is to share data to show that the use of POS for early detection of CCHD meets the criteria necessary for inclusion to the universal newborn screening panel and could be adopted worldwide.
Reconstruction of the C-1 lateral mass with a titanium expandable cage after resection of eosinophilic granuloma in an adult patient

Spinal involvement occurs frequently in cases of eosinophilic granuloma (EG), but surgical treatment is limited primarily to those with spinal instability. Involvement of the cervical spine is rare, but primarily occurs in the vertebral bodies, and is normally amenable to anterior corpectomy and spinal reconstruction. The authors describe a 27-year-old man with pathologically proven EG who presented with complete destruction of the C-1 lateral mass requiring spinal stabilization. A titanium expandable cage was used to reconstruct the weight-bearing column from the occipital condyle to the superior articular surface of C-2 from a posterior approach, with preservation of the traversing vertebral artery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported instance of reconstruction of the C-1 lateral mass using an expandable metal cage, which facilitated preservation of the vertebral artery.
Improving phonotactic language recognition with acoustic adaptation.

In recent evaluations of automatic language recognition systems, phonotactic approaches have proven highly effective [1][2]. However, as most of these systems rely on underlying ASR techniques to derive a phonetic tokenization, these techniques are potentially susceptible to acoustic variability from non-language sources (i.e. gender, speaker, channel, etc.). In this paper we apply techniques fromASR research to normalize and adapt HMM-based phonetic models to improve phonotactic language recognition performance. Experiments we conducted with these techniques show an EER reduction of 29% over traditional PRLM-based approaches.
Average vs item response theory scores: an illustration using neighbourhood measures in relation to physical activity in adults with arthritis.

Abstract Objectives Our study had two main objectives: 1) to determine whether perceived neighbourhood physical features are associated with physical activity levels in adults with arthritis; and 2) to determine whether the conclusions are more precise when item response theory (IRT) scores are used instead of average scores for the perceived neighbourhood physical features scales. Methods Information on health outcomes, neighbourhood characteristics, and physical activity levels were collected using a telephone survey of 937 participants with self-reported arthritis. Neighbourhood walkability and aesthetic features and physical activity levels were measured by self-report. Adjusted proportional odds models were constructed separately for each neighbourhood physical features scale. Results We found that among adults with arthritis, poorer perceived neighbourhood physical features (both walkability and aesthetics) are associated with decreased physical activity level compared to better perceived neighbourhood features. This association was only observed in our adjusted models when IRT scoring was employed with the neighbourhood physical feature scales (walkability scale: odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02, 1.41; aesthetics scale: OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09, 1.62), not when average scoring was used (walkability scale: OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.00, 1.30; aesthetics scale: OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00, 1.36). Conclusion In adults with arthritis, those reporting poorer walking and aesthetics features were found to have decreased physical activity levels compared to those reporting better features when IRT scores were used, but not when using average scores. This study may inform public health physical environmental interventions implemented to increase physical activity, especially since arthritis prevalence is expected to be close to 20% of the population in 2020. Based on NIH initiatives, future health research will utilize IRT scores. The differences found in this study may be a precursor for research on how past and future treatment effects may vary between these two types of measurement scores.
Efficient implementation of scatter-gather operations for large scale graph analytics

We developed a methodology to improve the cache behavior and overall performance of sparse linear algebra kernels used in graph analytics. Large scale graph processing typically has low performance because it cannot effectively use processor caches, resulting in high-latency for memory accesses. This is particularly true in a sparse linear algebra formulations of graph algorithms, which use well known kernels such as sparse-matrix vector multiply and sparse-matrix transposition. The proposed methodology partitions the inner loops of linear algebra kernels, and executes the iterations over these partitions in an independently ordered manner. This produces more cache-friendly access patterns, which reduce cache misses and improve performance. We first illustrate the technique through an example and then generalize it to multiple scenarios. Our evaluation shows that execution time of key computational kernels is reduced by 2- to 5-fold, when large graphs are considered. Most of the improvement in execution time comes from a significant reduction in cycles-per-instruction (CPI), even as the path length of the executed code increases.
Spin dependent recombination in CdTe/CdS solar cells

We report upon a new analytical approach for cadmium telluride/cadmium sulfide photovoltaic cells that is directly and exclusively sensitive to recombination center defects within the devices. The apparatus required to carry out these measurements is relatively straightforward and the response is robust. The measurements exploit the fact that recombination events through deep level defects are spin dependent and the presence of relatively small magnetic fields can alter spin dependent phenomena. The measurement involves small changes in the recombination current as a function of magnetic field when device current is strongly affected by recombination events.
Celestial mechanics solutions that escape

Abstract We establish the existence of an open set of initial conditions through which pass solutions without singularities to Newton's gravitational equations in R 3 on a semi-infinite interval in forward time, for which every pair of particles separates like A t , A > 0 , as t → ∞ . The solutions are constructable as series with rapid uniform convergence and their asymptotic behavior to any order is prescribed. We show that this family of solutions depends on 6N parameters subject to certain constraints.
Controlled shear system and resonant acoustic mixing: Effects on lubrication and flow properties of pharmaceutical blends

Abstract Purpose Lubrication is critical in pharmaceutical manufacturing of solid dosage forms. The purpose of this paper is to systematically compare and correlate the lubrication effect of two devices, a controlled shear system and a Resonant Acoustic Mixer, on the flow properties of pharmaceutical blends. Method A model formulation was selected. Full factorial designs were conducted to examine the effect of the total strain (or total energy) and the shear rate (or power) on the powder blend flow properties. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and effect size test using omega-squared statistics were performed. Results Lubrication significantly improved the blend flowability. Mixing without magnesium stearate, or insufficient strain, resulted in more cohesive blends. The statistical analysis suggests that the shear rate had a minimal effect on the blend flow properties. The experimental results also suggest that although the two devices had comparable lubrication effects on the overall blend flowability, the changes of the interparticle forces in the lubricated blends were not identical. Conclusion This study demonstrated a scientific approach to compare different lubrication processes in an objective and reproducible manner. The findings are useful for process design, development, and transfer between different equipment types and process scales.
The Influence of National Culture on Educational Videos: The Case of MOOCs

This paper discusses the influence of cultural dimensions on Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) introductory videos. The study examined the introductory videos produced by three universities on Coursera platforms using communication theory and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. The results show that introductory videos in MOOCs are influenced by the national culture of the country in which the university is based. Based on this finding, this paper raises interesting questions about the effect of these cultural elements on potential learners from different countries and cultures around the world. The paper also makes suggestions about introductory video production in MOOCs.
Enigmatic nodule‐bearing rocks in the mafic to ultramafic Diana Mills pluton, Piedmont Province, Virginia

The Silurian Diana Mills pluton is a metamorphosed mafic-ultramafic body in the Piedmont Province of Virginia. Major rock types in the pluton include metadiorite and chlorite‐amphibole rock, with lesser amounts of hornblendite. However, the most visually striking rocks, found at 4 locations, consist of tan‐weathering nodules in a dark green matrix. The purpose of this study was to investigate the origin of these nodular rocks. All rocks show evidence of greenschistfacies metamorphism, but relict igneous textures are preserved locally. Apart from the nodules, Ca‐amphibole is ubiquitous in all rock types. Nodules are dominated by serpentine or talc (+magnetite +/- chromite), and many show a thin (less than or equal to 5 mm) radially oriented shell of serpentine against adjacent matrix. The nodules are ultramafic (Mg# approx. 80-90, up to7,563 ppm Cr, up to 2,038 ppm Ni), and their normative mineralogy is dominated by olivine and orthopyroxene. Thus, they represent metamorphosed harzburgites and pyroxenites. Matrix minerals are dominantly amphibole + chlorite, along with variable amounts of talc + magnetite. Some matrix samples are chlorite‐rich, probably reflecting metasomatic reaction with nodules (i.e., they are small‐scale ''blackwalls''). Matrix samples are also ultramafic (high Mg#, Cr, and Ni). The matrix of the nodule‐bearing outcrops is essentially the same as other chlorite‐amphibole rocks elsewhere in the pluton. We consider these rocks to represent emplacement of an original hornblende peridotite crystal mush (a mixture of crystals and hydrous melt), which locally carried harzburgitic nodules. The nodules most likely represent the earliest‐formed cumulates from the Diana Mills parent magma.
Endothelin-1 is associated with fibrosis in proliferative diabetic retinopathy membranes.

PURPOSE To characterize the relationship between endothelin-1 and fibrosis in epiretinal membranes in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and explore the role of endothelial-mesenchymal transition in these membranes. METHODS Membranes were obtained from eyes undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for complicated proliferative diabetic retinopathy or idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Through standard immunohistochemical techniques, we labeled membranes to explore the distribution of endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor B, comparing proliferative diabetic retinopathy and idiopathic epiretinal membranes. In addition, membranes were also labeled with markers for fibroblasts, endothelial, and glial cells and studied with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The intensity of endothelin-1 labeling was quantified using standard image analysis software. RESULTS Fourteen membranes were included in the analysis, nine from eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and five idiopathic membranes. Flatmount diabetic membranes showed co-localization of endothelin-1 with S100A4 and CD31. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative analysis of cross-sectional membranes showed significantly higher endothelin-1 labeling in proliferative diabetic retinopathy membranes compared to idiopathic membranes (p<0.05). Diabetic membranes showed more elements staining positive for S100A4 compared to idiopathic membranes. CONCLUSION Epiretinal membrane formation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy involves higher tissue levels of endothelin-1 and fibroblastic activity. Furthermore, endothelin-1, endothelial and fibroblastic staining appear to be correlated, suggestive of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
4.14 – Amiloride-Sensitive Ion Channels

There are two classes of salt taste receptors. One class is sensitive specifically to sodium (Na+) salts, the other responds to a variety of cations. This chapter reviews the cumulative evidence that the Na+-specific taste receptor is the amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). This is accomplished by first presenting a description of what is known currently regarding the function, structure, and regulation of ENaC in Na+-transporting epithelia including taste bud cells. The regulatory factors discussed include: hormones, cyclic AMP, pH, calcium, osmolarity, temperature, proteases, and Na+ self-inhibition. Data are then presented that demonstrate the action of these regulatory factors on the sodium chloride (NaCl) responses of the rat chorda tympani taste nerves. The cumulative physiological and behavioral data leave little doubt that ENaC is the Na+-specific taste receptor in mammals.
Retroviruses and Oncogenes in Rats

Endogenous retroviral genes are present in all rat species including the feral rats. This virus, termed RaLV, is produced spontaneously in cultures or after treatment of cells in vitro by various chemical or physical agents. The RaLV replicates to low levels in rat cells but does not cause tumors in experimentally inoculated rats. We have isolated an acutely transforming rat sarcoma virus (RaSV) by in vitro cocultivation of RaLV productive cells with that of chemically induced tumor cultures. Unlike the previously isolated murine sarcoma viruses that are hybrids of mouse virus and cellular ras gene, the RaSV contains exclusively rat derived sequences (i.e. rat virus and ras gene). The RaSV transformed nonproducer cells produce a protein of 29,000 daltons which is distinct from all other ras oncogene encoded products in that it is synthesized as a gag-ras fusion product. Thus, the rat-cell-rat-endogenous-virus system that we have established offers a unique model to study the interaction between the endogenous virogenes and cellular genes at various stages of tumor development.
CHAPTER 34 – Lymphotoxins

This chapter focuses on recent aspects of LTαβ and LTα as ligands for LTβR and TNFR, respectively. Additional reviews are available on the general features of the TNF superfamily and LT (lymphotoxin), which was originally identified as a soluble factor produced by lymphocytes that was cytotoxic to tumor cells, and later recognized as a cell surface protein on activated T cells. Two distinct forms of LT are recognized, the original secreted form that is homologous to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), known as LTα, and the membrane form, comprised of a heterocomplex between LTα and a second related protein LTβ. LTα and TNF both bind the cell surface receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2, whereas the LTαβ complex binds a distinct receptor with specificity determined by the LTβ subunit. The receptors for LT and TNF are members of a corresponding family of cell surface and secreted proteins each with distinct roles in physiology. Gene disruption studies in mice have linked LTαβ-LTβR signaling to lymphoid organogenesis, splenic architecture, and differentiation of NK and NK-T cells, whereas LTα-TNFR1 signaling has been linked to the formation of tertiary lymphoid tissues, and inflammation. The shared ligand specificity revealed by the interaction of LTβR with the LT-related ligand LIGHT, which binds to the TNFR superfamily member, HVEM (herpes virus entry mediator), and can engage LTα. This shared receptor usage indicates these ligands form an integrated network of signaling systems that orchestrate immune function, underscored by their conserved genetic organization, and linkage to the major histocompatibility gene complex (MHC).
Unnatural Monopolies: Why Utilities Don't Belong in Rooftop Solar Markets

Electric utilities throughout the country are seeking for ways to address the growing threats that distributed solar energy technologies pose to their long-term stability. In particular, a small number of utilities have recently begun pursuing an “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” sort of response to the rapid rise of rooftop solar. This type of strategy is manifest in a handful newly-proposed projects that would essentially allow utilities to compete as producers in private rooftop solar markets. What are the potential long-term consequences of allowing utilities to compete directly against rooftop solar energy companies? And what sorts of considerations should inform policy decisions relating to this trend? This article applies basic microeconomics framework that has long served as the primary theoretical basis for utility regulation itself to analyze new policies that permit regulated utilities to enter into distributed solar energy markets. The article ultimately argues that regulated electric utilities should not be permitted to compete directly in markets for rooftop solar installations and that policies that actively guard against these “unnatural monopoly” problems will promote greater economic efficiency as innovation continues to transform electricity markets in the coming years.
Measuring dispositional optimism in student Veterans: An item response theory analysis

Background: The psychometric properties of the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) have been established among college students, yet psychometric evidence is lacking for a sample of student Veterans in postsecondary education.Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the LOT-R for the assessment of dispositional optimism in student Veterans by using classical test theory (CTT) in conjunction with item response theory (IRT).Method: A sample of 205 student Veterans were recruited from universities across the United States. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to test the unidimensionality of the LOT-R. A polychotomous IRT model using graded response model (GRM) was estimated. Reliability and concurrent validity of the LOT-R were tested.Results: CTT in conjunction with IRT validated that the LOT-R is a psychometrically sound unidimensional instrument for assessing the levels of dispositional optimism in student Veterans. The LOT-R was found to be associated wit...
The Development of Optimally Responsive Plasmodium-specific CD73+CD80+ IgM+ Memory B cells Requires Intrinsic BCL6 expression but not CD4+ Tfh cells

Summary Humoral immunity depends upon the development of long-lived, antibody-secreting plasma cells and rapidly responsive memory B cells (MBCs). The differentiation of high affinity, class-switched MBCs after immunization is critically dependent upon BCL6 expression in germinal center (GC) B cells and CD4+ T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. It is less well understood how more recently described MBC subsets are generated, including the CD73+CD80+ IgM+ MBCs that initially form antibody-secreting effector cells in response to a secondary Plasmodium infection. Herein, we interrogated how BCL6 expression in both B and CD4+ T cells influenced the formation of heterogeneous Plasmodium-specific MBC populations. All Plasmodium-specific CD73+CD80+ MBCs required BCL6 expression for their formation, suggesting germinal center dependence. Further dissection of the CD4+ T and B cell interactions however revealed that somatically hypermutated CD73+CD80+ IgM+ MBCs can form not only in the absence of germinal centers, but also in the absence of CXCR5+ CD4+ Tfh cells.