cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Gas-Actuated Anthropomorphic Prosthesis for Transhumeral Amputees

This paper presents the design of a gas-actuated anthropomorphic arm prosthesis with 21 degrees of freedom and nine independent actuators. The prosthesis utilizes the monopropellant hydrogen peroxide as a gas generator to power nine pneumatic type actuators. Of the nine independent actuators, one provides direct- drive actuation of the elbow, three provide direct-drive actuation for the wrist, and the remaining five actuate an underactuated 17 degree of freedom hand. This paper describes the design of the prosthesis, including the design of small-scale high-performance servovalves, which enable the implementation of the monopropellant concept in a transhumeral prosthesis. Experimental results are given characterizing both the servovalve performance and the force and/or motion control of various joints under closed-loop control.
Exploiting Multi-Fractal and Chaotic Phenomena of Motion in Image Sequences: Foundations

Accurate and robust image motion detection has been of substantial interest in the image processing and computer vision communities. Unfortunately, no single motion detection algorithm has been universally superior; while biological vision systems are adept at motion detection. Recent research in neural signals have shown biological neural systems are highly responsive to chaotic signals. In this paper, we analyze image sequences using frame-wise phase plots and demonstrate that the changes in pixel amplitudes due to the motion of objects in an image sequence, results in apparently chaotic behavior in phase space. We explore these chaotic phenomena in a variety of image datasets to show their repeatability, to validate the assumption of ergodicity, and to demonstrate their uniqueness from the changes due to illumination, particularly spatio-temporally varying illumination.
34.3: Modeling Of Optoelectronic Processes In SrS:Cu ACTFEL Display Devices

From the results of measurements involving transient response and dented voltage waveforms, a new model for luminance and current in SrS:Cu ACTFEL devices is developed. It includes the the backflow of electrons form the anodic interface states, field dependent capture of electrons by ionized activators and the effect of bulk phosphor dipoles.
Efficient Hardware Accelerator for IPSec Based on Partial Reconfiguration on Xilinx FPGAs

In this paper we present a practical low-end embedded system solution for Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) implemented on the smallest Xilinx Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device in the Virtex 4 family. The proposed solution supports the three main IPSec protocols: Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP), Authentication Header (AH) and Internet Key Exchange (IKE). This system uses efficiently hardware-software co-design and partial reconfiguration techniques. Thanks to utilization of both methods we were able to save a significant portion of hardware resources with a relatively small penalty in terms of performance. In this work we propose a division of the basic mechanisms of IPSec protocols, namely cryptographic algorithms and their modes of operation to be implemented either in software or hardware. Through this, we were able to combine the high performance offered by a hardware solution with the flexibility of a software implementation. We show that a typical IPSec protocol configuration can be combined with Partial Reconfiguration techniques in order to efficiently utilize hardware resources.
How welcome do Iranian-Americans feel in their homeland? Perceptions of social distance among Muslim, Jewish, and Non-Religious Iranian-American adults

Recent political events in the United States have created a political climate that promotes prejudice against Middle Eastern, Iranian, and Muslim people. In this study, we were interested in investigating two questions: (1) How welcome do Iranian-American men and women from various religious backgrounds (Muslim, Jewish, or no religious affiliation) feel in their new homeland (specifically, how much social distance (affective distance) do they think their Euro-American neighbors feel toward them? and (2) to what extent does the possession of stereotypical Middle Eastern, Iranian, or Muslim traits (an accent, darker skin, wearing of religious symbols, traditional garb, etc.) spark prejudice and thus Iranian-Americans perception of social distance? Participants were recruited from two very different sources: (1) shoppers at grocery stores in Iranian-American neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and (2) a survey posted on http://Surveymonkey.com. A total of 374 Iranian-Americans, ages 18 and older, completed an in-person or online questionnaire that included the following: a request for demographic information, religious preferences, a survey of how typically Iranian-American the respondents’ traits were, and the social distance scale. A surprise was that it was the Iranian-American Jews (not the Muslims), who felt most keenly that Euro-Americans kept them at a distance. Jewish women received higher scores on the social distance scale than did members of any other group. In addition, again, it was mainly Iranian-American Jews, particularly those who spoke with a Middle Eastern accent or wore stereotypically religious symbols, who felt the most social distance existing between them and “typical” Americans.
World-Economy Centrality and Carbon Dioxide Emissions: A New Look at the Position in the Capitalist World-System and Environmental Pollution

With the ever-growing concern of climate change, much attention has been paid to the factors driving carbon dioxide emissions. Previous research in the World-Systems perspective has identified a relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and position in the world-economy. This study intends to build on the previous research by developing a new, more parsimonious indicator of World-System position based on Immanuel Wallersteins theoretical concepts of incorporation and core-periphery processes. The new World-System indicator is derived from the centrality measure in network analysis based on import data from the International Monetary Funds Direction of Trade Statistics. Based on the theoretical concepts of core-periphery processes, carbon dioxide emissions are predicted to rise based on the predominance of energy-intensive, high-technology, core processes within the nation. The results tend to demonstrate a strong relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and position in the world-economy, and the new World-System position indicator is more strongly related with carbon dioxide emissions than Gross Domestic Product per capita.
3D game development with unity in the computer science curriculum

This paper describes the experience of teaching an upper-level undergraduate/entry-level graduate course in game development using the Unity game engine. We outline the material presented in the course and the projects students had to complete, and present some observations and insights gained during the semester. We also describe the framework of a new Computer Science concentration in Game Development.
Experimental archaeology and the earliest seagoing: the limitations of inference

AbstractExperimental voyaging, of the type made famous by the Kon-Tiki and the Hōkūleʻa, is often considered to provide a means of modelling the performance of ancient seacraft, a relevant variable if we are to understand patterning in prehistoric island colonization and maritime interaction. Recently, in order to bolster claims otherwise dependent on contentious data, some proponents who argue for maritime colonisation as an evolutionarily ancient behaviour have suggested that such experiments provide corroborating evidence for deliberate seagoing by archaic hominins. Here, we examine the epistemological foundation for these claims, and in particular what constitutes the basis for building good analogues in archaeological reasoning and the limitations of inferences drawn from them. We stress the importance of not conflating possibilities with probabilities, and caution against an unwarranted uniformitarianism in making assumptions regarding the cognitive, social, behavioural and technological contexts of...
Clinical Reasoning: A 71-year-old man with rapidly progressive dementia

A 71-year-old right-handed man presented to the emergency room of our institution with the chief complaint of cognitive impairment of recent onset. His medical history was notable for treated hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and depression. He noted a 3-week history of short-term memory impairment (forgetting where he parked his car, misplacing items, forgetting conversations), behavioral changes (short-tempered, apathetic, easily disoriented in unfamiliar settings), generalized fatigue, weight loss, and visual impairment (possible right homonymous hemianopsia), the last of which resolved prior to presentation. He was otherwise able to carry out his basic activities of daily living and continued to drive a car, albeit with some difficulty. Physical examination was notable for 12/30 points on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, losing points mainly for impaired visuospatial-executive function, attention, and delayed recall. He was only mildly disoriented and could not name the hospital or the day of the week. His affect was flat and he appeared apathetic but was otherwise polite and had good insight into his current cognitive problems. Cranial nerve, motor, sensory, and cerebellar examination results were normal. Initial cell blood count, basic metabolic panel, liver function panel, thyroid studies, markers of inflammation, vitamin B12, folate, and urine analysis were all normal.
Studies on the Synthesis of the Alkaloid (-)-Gilbertine via Indolidene Chemistry.

A synthesis route to the pentacyclic alkaloid (−)-gilbertine, which features a cyclization cascade passing through a transient indolidene intermediate, was pursued. A key stereochemical relationship was set via a Nicholas-type enolate alkylation. Ultimately, undesired C–N cyclization thwarted the final projected C–C bond forming ring closure, and gilbertine could not be prepared by this route.
Resource Allocation of Third-party Warehousing Based on Revenue Management and Simulation

To solve the capacity design and resource allocation problem at third-party warehousing under uncertain demands,a stochastic mathematical programming model is proposed.It is proved in this paper there exist optimal resource allocation quantities,and the optimal quantity of each class of customer is a decreasing function of unit resource cost,while an increasing function of unit resource revenue and unit lost cost.Because of the complexity for this problem to be solved analytically,a new approach integrating revenue management with discrete-event simulation and response surface methodology is developed.Revenue management is used to implement customer segmentation and construction of resource allocation policies.Simulation is employed to model the stochastic characteristics and evaluate the performance of the system.The optimization of allocation policies and exploration of performance improvement is realized by a statistical experimental technology,response surface methodology.Case study and simulation experiments show that allocating warehousing capacity according to customer segmentation is better than the traditional policy of first come first service,and the combination of revenue management,response surface methodology and simulation can effectively improve system's yield,which validates the approach proposed in this paper.
A possible carbon monoxide shuttle in the lung

This study provides evidence regarding a physiological mechanism that determines the lung mean capillary PCO that drives pulmonary CO excretion and functions as “back pressure” during CO uptake. Re...
A Blame Shifting Theory of Delegation

We show that delegating decision rights to a third party can overcome the negative consequences of reputation concerns and improve social welfare. Delegation is valuable by making public signals noisy, and therefore, mitigates the long run players' incentives in reputation building. Our result explains why politicians can shift public blame by delegating unpopular decisions to agents, and establishes a novel role of delegation, which is in sharp contrast to the bulk of literature where the delegated agent has superior information or the ability to acquire information.
ENHANCED THERMOGRAPHIC DETECTION OF DELAMINATIONS WITH COMPUTATIONAL PULSE SHAPING

Thermal Nondestructive Testing (TNDT) is an increasingly common technique for detecting delaminations in structures[l–7]. Typically, TNDT uses radiative heaters such as flash or quartz lamps to heat the specimen. Before during and after radiative heating, an infrared imager measures the surface temperature. Since this process is a noncontacting and imaging method, it has several advantages over conventional contacting techniques. It is able to rapidly inspect a square meter of structure in minutes. It also is easy to inspect curve surfaces. A principle disadvantage is its lack of sensitivity to delaminations at depths greater than 1/2 the thickness of the structure.
Evaluation and Minimization of Uncertainty in ITC Binding Measurements: Heat Error, Concentration Error, Saturation, and Stoichiometry

Abstract Background Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is uniquely useful for characterizing binding thermodynamics, because it straightforwardly provides both the binding enthalpy and free energy. However, the precision of the results depends on the experimental setup and how thermodynamic results are obtained from the raw data. Methods Experiments and Monte Carlo analysis are used to study how uncertainties in injection heat and concentration propagate to binding enthalpies in various scenarios. We identify regimes in which it is preferable to fix the stoichiometry parameter, N, and evaluate the reliability of uncertainties provided by the least squares method. Results The noise in the injection heat is mainly proportional in character, with ~ 1% and ~ 3% uncertainty at 27C and 65C, respectively; concentration errors are ~ 1%. Simulations of experiments based on these uncertainties delineate how experimental design and curve fitting methods influence the uncertainty in the final results. Conclusions In most cases, experimental uncertainty is minimized by using more injections and by fixing N at its known value. With appropriate technique, the uncertainty in measured binding enthalpies can be kept below ~ 2% under many conditions, including low C values. General Significance We quantify uncertainties in ITC data due to heat and concentration error, and identify practices to minimize these uncertainties. The resulting guidelines are important when ITC data are used quantitatively, such as to test computer simulations of binding. Reproducibility and further study are supported by free distribution of the new software developed here.
Multimorbidity and Polypharmacy

As individuals age, the likelihood of developing more than one chronic condition increases. The presence of more than one disease, or multimorbidity, often leads to treatment with multiple medications (polypharmacy). Unfortunately, polypharmacy may predispose older adults to a number of adverse consequences, including adverse drug reactions, potentially inappropriate prescribing/medications, nonadherence, functional status decline, geriatric syndromes, and mortality. This chapter will focus on the prevalence of multimorbidity among older adults, the epidemiology of polypharmacy in this population, and the negative clinical outcomes associated with the use of multiple medications.
A novel framework for characterizing the aggregated response of thermostatically controlled loads in distribution networks

The elasticity of loads would play an important role in services of a future power system that heavily relies on renewable resources. Adding some levels of controllability to the loads, when deployed in an appropriate scheme, would enhance this elasticity. For thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs), either a pricing or a direct control mechanism are the usual envisioned platforms for this enhancement. For the situations that these mechanisms are not implementable, we have proposed a platform in which TCLs can become (partially) controllable. Additionally, we have provided a novel framework to determine the time-scale of the power network that such a platform can be a part of. This framework is not confined to the proposed platform, and can be used for other mechanisms as well.
Hydrometallurgy and Electrometallurgy

In Chapter 8 we examined some traditional techniques for the production of “tonnage” metals such as steel, aluminum, and copper. These techniques involved high temperature, molten metals, and slags and difficulties posed by the emission into the environment of particles, sulfur dioxide, and so on. In the present chapter we examine some alternative techniques that make use of aqueous chemistry to extract metals from ores and concentrates. This “hydrometallurgical” technology employs much lower temperatures than those encountered in Chapter 8. Nevertheless, hydrometallurgical techniques still entail the consumption of considerable quantities of energy, particularly when the energy costs associated with producing reagents are considered. However, hydrometallurgical processes typically pose no air pollution difficulties, but steps must usually be taken to avoid water pollution.
Not Your Same Old Story: New Rules for Thematic Apperceptive Techniques (TATs)

Stories told about pictures have been used for both research and clinical practice since the beginning of modern personality assessment. However, with the growing science-practice gap, these thematic apperceptive techniques (TATs) have been used differently in those 2 venues. Scientific validation is presumptively general, but clinical application is idiographic and situation-specific. A bridge is needed. The manualized human-scored narrative analysis systems discussed here are valuable scientist-practitioner tools, but they require a validation literature to support further research publication, maintain their role in clinical training, and justify clinicians' reimbursement by third-party payers. To facilitate wider understanding of manualized TAT methodologies, this article addresses long-standing criticisms of TAT reliability and proposes some strategic solutions to the measurement error problem for both researchers and clinicians, including analyzing person-situation interactions, purposeful situation sampling for within-storyteller comparisons, and uses of small samples. The new rules for TATs include conceptual and methodological standards that researchers should aim to meet and report, reviewers should apply to manuscripts, and clinical assessors can use to analyze their own data and justify third-party payment.
Balanced bifrontal transcranial direct current stimulation enhances working memory in adults with high-functioning autism: a sham-controlled crossover study.

Working memory (WM) often is impaired in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Such impairment may underlie core deficits in cognition and social functioning. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to enhance WM in both healthy adults and clinical populations, but its efficacy in ASD is unknown. We predicted that bifrontal tDCS would improve WM performances of adults with high-functioning autism during active stimulation compared to sham stimulation and that such enhancement would generalize to an untrained task. Twelve adults with high-functioning ASD engaged in a battery of WM tasks that included backward spatial span, backward digit span, spatial n-back and letter n-back. While engaged, 40 min of 1.5 mA bifrontal stimulation was applied over the left and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC). Using a single-blind crossover design, each participant received left anodal/right cathodal stimulation, right anodal/left cathodal stimulation, or sham stimulation, in randomized counterbalanced order on three separate days. Following tDCS, participants again engaged in letter and spatial n-back tasks before taking the Brief Test of Attention (BTA). We used repeated-measures ANOVA to compare overall performance on the WM battery as measured by a composite of z-scores for all five measures. Post hoc ANOVAs, t tests, Friedman’s tests, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to measure the online and offline effects of tDCS and to assess performances on individual measures. Compared to sham stimulation, both left DLPFC anodal stimulation (t 11 = 5.4, p = 0.0002) and right DLPFC anodal stimulation (t 11 = 3.57, p = 0.004) improved overall WM performance. Left anodal stimulation (t 11 = 3.9, p = 0.003) and right anodal stimulation (t 11 = 2.7, p = 0.019) enhanced performances during stimulation. Enhancement transferred to an untrained task 50 min after right anodal stimulation (z 11 = 2.263, p = 0.024). The tasks that showed the largest effects of active stimulation were spatial span backward (z 11 = 2.39, p = 0.017) and BTA (z 11 = 2.263, p = 0.024). In adults with high-functioning ASD, active bifrontal tDCS given during WM tasks appears to improve performance. TDCS benefits also transferred to an untrained task completed shortly after stimulation. These results suggest that tDCS can improve WM task performance and could reduce some core deficits of autism. NCT01602263
DNA and Tissue Microarrays

Although techniques such as RT-PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH) can give information about gene expression, they are limited in scope as typically one gene product is evaluated with each assay. The advent of transcriptional profiling using DNA microarray has revolutionized the field of molecular medicine as measurement of thousands of genes simultaneously in a given sample provide a vast amount of data for new disease classifications and biomarker discoveries. DNA microarray-based gene expression profiling relies on nucleic acid polymers, immobilized on a solid surface, which act as probes for complementary gene sequences.1 Microarrays typically contain several thousand single-stranded DNA sequences, which are “arrayed” at specific locations on a synthetic “chip” through covalent linkage. These DNA fragments provide a matrix of probes for fluorescently labeled complementary RNA (cRNA) derived from the sample of interest. The expression of each gene in the sample is quantified by the intensity of fluorescence emitted from a specific location on the array matrix which is proportional to the amount of that gene product (Figure 10.1).2 Open image in new window Figure 10.1 Reprinted from Sauter G, Simon R. Predictive molecular pathology. N Engl J Med 2002;347:1995–1996. (Copyright 2002 Massachusetts Medical Society)
Innovation Through Boundary Spanning: The Role of IT in Enabling Knowledge Flows Across Technological and Geographical Boundaries

Innovation is considered the engine for firm growth. Especially innovations, through recombining seemingly unrelated knowledge streams, can have groundbreaking impact and lead to sustained competitive advantage. To generate such innovation, firms often need to go beyond their existing technological or geographical boundaries to identify and integrate novel knowledge elements. This article refers to firms' knowledge activities of drawing upon distant knowledge i.e., knowledge from dissimilar technological domains or distant geographical regions to create novel technological solutions, as innovation through boundary spanning. Aiming to investigate the roles of information technology IT in facilitating innovation through boundary spanning, we collected data from the pharmaceutical industry over a six-year period to test the research model. The data analysis results indicate that IT supports boundary-spanning activities in firm innovation and different IT-enabled knowledge capabilities affect boundary-spanning innovation differently.
The Value of the Arts Within a Liberal Arts Education: Skills for the Workplace and the World

Much has been written about the benefits of learning to play an instrument, creating an image on canvas, or moving in coordinated gestures. Students develop self-discipline, persistence, collaboration, problem-solving, and public performance through the arts. Such abilities are needed not just by artists; they are of immense benefit to any person engaged in any profession. Whether as majors or non-majors, students who take courses in the arts are given a valuable opportunity to not only learn content but also develop new ways of thinking, communicating, and evaluating. Classes in the arts broaden a student’s understanding of human nature, offer new ways to think about the unknown and the familiar, new concepts and old ideas, and one’s own and diverse cultures. Fine arts classes teach students to hear and to see, to be comfortable with ambiguity, to examine an issue from multiple perspectives, and to develop sound methodologies for working through confusing and sometimes controversial issues.
Total Joint Arthroplasty in Patients With Schizophrenia: How Much Does It Increase the Risk of Complications?

BACKGROUND Mental illness is an often overlooked comorbidity in the total joint arthroplasty (TJA) population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of schizophrenia on the outcomes of TJA. METHODS The nationwide inpatient sample was used to identify a cohort of 505,840 patients having total hip arthroplasty between 2009 and 2012, of which 953 patients (0.2%) had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the impact of schizophrenia on short-term medical and surgical complications. Differences in length of stay and discharge disposition were also compared. RESULTS Schizophrenic patients are 15 times more likely to have pulmonary insufficiency after surgery (odds ratio [OR] 15.1, P = .0133). Patients were 11 times more likely to have mental status changes (OR 11.1, P = .0002), 3 times more likely to have a mechanical complication of the implant (OR 3.2, P = .0031), and 2 times more likely to require a transfusion (OR 2.4, P < .0001). All-cause medical (OR 2.2, P < .0001) and surgical (OR 1.5, P < .0001) complications were higher in schizophrenic patients. Patients stayed 0.63 days longer in the hospital (P < .0001), and were 3 times more likely to discharge to a facility (OR 2.7, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS TJA in patients with schizophrenia had markedly increased complications. Particularly, pulmonary complications, mechanical complications of the implant, mental status changes, and transfusion rates were higher. Future risk adjustment models should include schizophrenia as a major contributor to increased complications.
Negotiation and Conclusion

The constitutional order of the Commonwealth of Australia attributes to the head of the State the function of making treaties. The Australian Constitution does not expressly authorize delegation of the treaty-making power to other bodies or persons.1 Yet the first step with respect to the conclusion of a treaty usually is the appointment and use of an agent to negotiate and enter into agreements. In Australia as elsewhere generally the appointment of agents is a function of the Executive Government.2
Clitoroplasty in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Description of Technique

Female patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) may develop masculinized genitalia in utero upon exposure to excess androgen. This masculinization may be characterized by hyperpigmented or fused labioscrotal tissue, enlarged labia majora, a urogenital sinus, and clitoromegaly. Clitoromegaly may vary, ranging from an ordinary clitoris to a significantly enlarged clitoris similar to a near-normal penis, with any degree of intermediate variation. Surgical management of clitoromegaly may ensure adequate sexual function, promote consistent female gender identity development, and provide a typical clitoris aesthetic. Patients and families considering clitoral surgery should make every effort to understand the options, risks, and benefits of this surgery. If surgery is being considered, it should only be performed in centers with significant experience.
The Determination of the Emittance of Refractory Materials to 5000 F

ABSTRACT The emittances of various refractory materials were determined at temperatures from 800 to 5000 F. These measurements were made by comparing the irradiance from a sample of the material to that from a black body cavity maintained at the same temperature. A thermopile-type detector was employed. Small disc-shaped specimens were heated in an inert atmosphere by placing them on a disc that was inductively heated by a flat induction coil. The specimen temperature was measured by means of surface thermocouples and optical pyrometer. The optical pyrometer readings were corrected to true temperatures for the measured emittance with the aid of thermocouple calibration, gray body assumption, and spectral measurements. The emittances of platinum, pyrolytic graphite, tungsten, molybdenum, carbides, oxides, nitrides, and silicides were determined to their destruction temperatures. Several coatings including the W-2, siliconized finishes, chrome oxides, and other specially treated surfaces were also evaluated. The emittances of the different materials varied considerably with temperature and showed many inflections which usually could be associated with material phase changes and expansion coefficients, but which quite often could not be predicted.
Laryngeal Cartilage Invasion

In their article comparing MR imaging and dual-energy CT for the evaluation of cartilage invasion by laryngeal carcinoma,[1][1] the authors correctly stated in their introduction that the diagnosis of T4a disease—that is, tumor invading not just into but beyond the laryngeal cartilage and into the
The effect of combining coronary bypass with carotid endarterectomy in patients with unrevascularized severe coronary disease

Abstract Objective Management of significant carotid stenosis in those with symptomatic coronary disease remains controversial. Staged and combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with coronary artery bypass grafting has been described. Yet, an understanding of the additive risks of these approaches is poor. This study sought to assess outcomes in patients with clinically relevant coronary disease undergoing either isolated CEA (ICEA) or combined CEA and coronary artery bypass (concurrent coronary artery bypass [CCAB]). Methods All CEAs in the Vascular Quality Initiative from 2003 to 2017 were reviewed. CCABs were identified, as were ICEAs in patients with unrevascularized stable angina, unstable angina, or myocardial infarction (MI) within 6 months of operation. CCABs were compared with ICEAs as well as with a risk-matched cohort of ICEAs. Primary outcomes included perioperative stroke, all-cause death, MI, and these as composite (SDM). Univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed. Results There were 4042 patients identified, including 2582 ICEA patients (64%) and 1460 CCAB patients (36%); 61% were male, 91% were white, and 39% had symptomatic carotid disease. Overall stroke was 3.5%, death 1.8%, and SDM 6.0%. ICEA had higher rates of postoperative MI (1.9% vs 0.9%; P = .01) but lower rates of stroke (2.8% vs 4.7%; P = .002), death (1.0% vs 3.0%; P Conclusions In patients with unrevascularized, clinically relevant coronary disease, CCAB reduces operative MI but increases risk of stroke and death. After risk adjustment, MI remains higher in ICEA, but differences in 30-day stroke and SDM between ICEA and CCAB are no longer appreciated. These data suggest that CEA risk undertaken in patients with unrevascularized coronary disease is not inconsequential, and outcomes are similar to those of CCAB.
Carotid endarterectomy outcomes: What does the patient bring to the table?

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) remains one of the most commonly performed vascular surgical procedures. Strong, but somewhat outdated data1 demonstrate the benefit of CEA for stroke prevention in select patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic stenosis. Prior investigation and commentary have underscored the effect of surgeon volumes and experience on CEA outcomes. But, what about patient characteristics? In addition to traditional risk stratification factors (symptomatic vs asymptomatic, time of most recent cerebrovascular event, patient sex), do clinicians need to heed other patient variables?
Equity Analysis of Proactively- vs. Reactively-Identified Traffic Safety Issues:

Traffic safety issues often impede bicyclist and pedestrian trips, preventing potential users from realizing the benefits of active transport. Traditional active transportation safety analyses, how...
Assessing the Potential Impact of the Declaration of Istanbul 2008 on Internet Reporting of Human Organ Transplantation-Related Crimes Using Interrupted Time Series Analysis and Meta-Analysis Approaches.

Abstract Background A severe shortage in donor organs is the major driver for organ transplantation-related crimes. The Declaration of Istanbul 2008 (DOI) was created to stop such crimes. We investigated the impact of DOI on Internet reporting of transplantation-related crimes. Methods We conducted Google Advanced Searches to collect data on “kidney trade,” “kidney sale,” “organ trafficking,” and “transplant tourism” in 15 original participant and 10 nonparticipant countries, 6 years prior through 8 years after the promulgation of DOI. The data were normalized for population and transformed to a logarithmic scale. Interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was applied to estimate the changes in slopes of the outcome variables before and after DOI, and then the overall intervention impact was calculated by meta-analysis. Results The combined results indicated that the overall impact of DOI on the reporting of “organ trafficking” and “transplant tourism” was statistically negative (reporting reduced significantly) as intended but on “kidney sale” and “kidney trade” was statistically positive (reporting increased significantly), and the increase was higher in the nonparticipant countries compared to the participant countries. The rate of reporting on “transplant tourism” declined in the participant countries more pronouncedly than in the nonparticipant countries. Conclusions DOI has a positive impact on the reporting of “organ trafficking” and “transplant tourism” but not on the reporting of “kidney sale” and “kidney trade.” The increased reporting of “kidney sale” and “kidney trade” can be indicative of an impact of DOI on public awareness and increased reporting of the residual transplantation-related crimes.
Comparison of Office-Based Physician Participation in Medicaid Managed Care and Health Insurance Exchange Plans in the Same US Geographic Markets.

Importance Several recent policy proposals have sought to expand the role of Medicaid in providing health insurance for low-income Americans, but there is little recent information on how physician participation in Medicaid compares with alternative forms of coverage for low-income Americans. Objective To compare the number of office-based physicians included in Medicaid managed care and health insurance exchange plans that operate in the same geographic markets. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used administrative data from physician network directories and survey data from office-based physicians for Kansas, Nebraska, New York, Tennessee, and Washington. The number of participants totaled 67 057 office-based physicians in the 5 sample states. Data were collected and analyzed from May 2018 to June 2019. Exposures Physician participation in a Medicaid managed care or health insurance exchange plan network. Main Outcomes and Measures The percentage of office-based physicians in a county who indicated during a phone survey that they participated in Medicaid; the percentage of office-based physicians in a county who participated in each Medicaid managed care and health insurance exchange plan network; and the percentage of office-based physicians in a county who participated in at least 1 Medicaid managed care plan or, separately, at least 1 health insurance exchange plan. Results Of the 67 057 office-based physicians in our sample, 49 983 reported in a telephone survey that they accepted Medicaid. This survey-based measure undercounted the percentage of physicians participating in Medicaid by 5.2% (95% CI, 2.3%-8.1%;P Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of physician network data, Medicaid managed care physician networks included more office-based physicians than the physician networks of health insurance exchange plans operating in the same geographic markets. This suggests that Medicaid remains a viable option for expanding coverage in the United States.
106 Daily firearm carriage and interpersonal violence patterns among a high-risk urban emergency department (ED) sample of youth and young adults

Statement-of-Purpose Firearm violence is a leading cause of U.S. mortality. Intensive longitudinal daily data studies [ILDDS] have not examined firearm carriage or same-day/next-day predictors of carriage or violent conflict. Such data are necessary to inform violence interventions. Methods/Approach ED youth/young adults (age=16–29) screening positive for substance misuse, firearm possession, and smartphone ownership were enrolled in a 30-day ILDDS. Daily assessment included 31-items about firearm carriage, violence, substance use, anger, anxiety/stress, and impulsivity. Separate conditional logistic regression models examined within- and next-day lagged associations with firearm carriage and violent conflict. Results Across 30-days, 51% (n=27) of participants (n=53; M-age=24; 42%-male; 68%-Black; 87%-handgun possession) carried firearms, averaging 7 carriage-days/person. Carriage did not vary by day, week, day-of-week, or weekday/weekend. Firearms were carried 17% (180-of-1046) of days, with protection (97%) the primary reason-for-carriage and perceived low-risk (75%) the primary reason-for-not-carrying; 19% of participants disposed of their firearms. Examining between-person associations, no baseline differences were identified for participants carrying and not carrying firearms. Examining within-day factors, using illicit drugs (OR=7.5) and spending time in high-risk locations (OR=3.5) were associated with same-day carriage. No same-day associations were identified for other daily variables and carriage. Across 30-days, 26% of participants engaged in violent conflict (n=20 conflict-days; 63%-partner/27%-non-partner, 25%-firearm threats/use). Examining within-day, higher anger (OR=1.48), impulsivity (OR=1.28), stress/anxiety (OR=1.35), and riskier firearm behaviors (e.g., carriage drunk/high; OR=6.46) were associated with same-day conflict. Higher anger (OR=9.63) and lower self-efficacy for avoiding fights (OR=1.42) were associated with next-day conflict. Conclusions Among high-risk youth, daily firearm carriage/violence rates were high. Results highlight carriage patterns and foci for interventions, including risky firearm behaviors, illicit-drug use, anxiety/stress, impulse control, anger management, and violence avoidance/refusal skills. Significance/Contributions This is the first ILDDS examining firearm carriage/violence and identifies key data for future public health efforts addressing firearm violence.
Immunogenicity and transcriptomic biology in Nottingham histologic grade 3 breast cancer.

e12563Background: Cancer biology dictates disease progression and prognosis of a tumor. Histological grade has been used as a proxy of tumor biology in various cancer types, although it depends on ...
Factors Influencing the Development of Pneumonia in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Meta-analysis.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify factors that are associated with the occurrence of pneumonia in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) after treatment.Data SourcesPubMed, Scopus, O...
Reinforcement Learning for Control of Building HVAC Systems

We propose a reinforcement learning-based (RL) controller for energy efficient climate control of commercial buildings. Model-based control techniques like model predictive control (MPC) for this problem are challenging to implement as they need simple yet accurate models, which are hard to obtain due to the complexity in hygrothermal dynamics of a building and its HVAC system. RL is an attractive alternative to MPC since once the policy is learned, computing the control in real time involves solving a simple low dimensional optimization problem that does not involve a model of building physics. However, training an RL controller is computationally expensive, and there are many design choices that affect performance.We compare in simulations the proposed RL controller, an MPC controller, and a baseline rule-based controller that is widely used in practice. Both the RL and MPC controllers are able to maintain temperature and humidity constraints, and they both reduce energy use significantly compared to the baseline, though the savings by RL is smaller than that by MPC.
Missed Opportunities for Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Through Microcredit: Qualitative Findings From Bangladesh:

Microcredit has shown mixed results when used to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV). This study explored microcredit and IPV in Bangladesh by conducting 12 focus groups with married men and wom...
Continued Decline For Ethnic Minorities in the Transition? Changes In Ethnic Earnings Differentials in Bulgaria, 1986, 1993 and 1997

Using three Bulgarian cross-sectional household surveys from 1986, 1993 and 1997, this essay shows that the mean log wage differential between ethnic Bulgarians and Turks increased from 0.1615 in 1986 to 0.2874 in 1993 and again to 0.4075 by 1997. Bulgarian gains over ethnic Turks in the early transition are related to both changes in the relative returns to skill and changes in the composition of demand for goods and services as the country moved toward a market economy. The Turks began the transition with fewer years of education than the Bulgarians, and began to close the education gap over this time. The Bulgarians, however, were more likely to have obtained more general secondary and university degrees than the ethnic Turks - degrees that, in contrast to technical or vocational degrees, are experiencing increased remuneration in the transition. With more of an asset that has become more valuable, the ethnic Bulgarians improved their relative position.
Periodizing the Capitalocene as Polemocene

Lewis and Maslin explore geological markers for the beginning of the “Anthropocene”-beginning, in their periodization, in either 1492 (naming the birth of capitalism as the cause of planetary crisis) or 1945 (naming elite-driven militarization as its cause). In this essay, I argue for a synthesis of these two dynamics, locating both the birth of capitalism and a transformation of elite-driven militarization in the conquest of the New World during the Long Sixteenth Century. As such, I propose narrating planetary history through a “capitalocene as polemocene,” “the age of capital as an age of war” framework.
STT-MRAM: A Robust Embedded Non-Volatile Memory with Superior Reliability and Immunity to External Magnetic Field and RF Sources

We report STT-MRAM’s robustness, superior reliability and immunity performance to external magnetic field and RF sources for next-generation embedded-MRAM (eMRAM) technology based on 22FDX®+RF+MRAM. Using 40Mb eMRAM integrated in 22FDX®, we demonstrate Write/Read repeatability performance with BER variation of <0.2 PPM with ECC-OFF and zero failure with ECC-ON at -40~125°C. We show angle dependence of standby magnetic immunity and ways to improve it with optimized shielding designs. Using a specially designed RF-MRAM EMI chip, we demonstrate no impact of RF interference on MRAM and vice versa. Furthermore, using optimized MTJ process, design and testing schemes, we show <2 PPM post 5x solder reflow performance and zero mean endurance failure after 100K cycles at -40°C.
Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis taking biologic therapies in a dermatologic private practice in Miami, Florida.

Background The reactivation of a latent tuberculosis infection is one of the possible major events that may occur during biologic therapies for inflammatory chronic diseases such as psoriasis. Although its main screening test is regularly used in clinical practice, there are few studies about the prevalence of this silent mycobacterial infection and the rate of positive convertors during treatment. Objective To assess the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis receiving biologic therapy by using tuberculin skin test as a screening method and to evaluate the rate of conversion of tuberculin skin test (TST) during the treatment with biologics. Methods A total of 445 patients were included in our retrospective study, conducted from January 2006 to September 2012. Tuberculin skin test was performed in all patients prior to treatment and once a year during the follow-up. PPD was considered positive with an induration above 5 mm, following the recommendations of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ America Thoracic Society. Data analysis was obtained with SPSS 20.0. Results The prevalence of LTBI in our population before initiating the treatment was 4.5% by using TST screening method. During the treatment, 10 cases that were initially TST-negative became positive. Only one of the patients developed active tuberculosis infection. The other 9 TST-positive patients were detected during the regular annual screening, and no symptoms or findings on chest x-ray were seen. All the patients were treated with isoniazid (INH) for nine months, and biologic therapy was restarted after one month of treatment with INH without development of overt TB infection in any of them during the follow-up period of the study. The mean time to becoming TST positive from start date was 26.7 months (range from 8 months to 5 years). As the PPD was done annually, it is unknown exactly when the patients became TST positive. Prior to initiating treatment, 20 patients were found to be TST positive. All patients had clear chest x-rays and were treated with nine months of INH prior to initiating biologic therapy at least month later. Conclusions The use of a screening tool for LTBI is mandatory in patients taking biologic therapies to avoid severe infectious complications. Periodic follow-up is also crucial as positive results may be seen after prolonged use of these agents.
Clathrin assembly protein AP-3 is phosphorylated and glycosylated on the 50-kDa structural domain.

AP-3 (AP180) in rat sympathetic neurons maintained in culture was analyzed by pulse-chase labeling with [35S]methionine to look for post-translational modifications. At early times, two lower molecular weight precursors of the mature species were detected. By 10 min, all of the AP-3 was found in the mature form which is stable for at least 9 h. We show here that at least one of these processing events is due to the addition of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) which is present on the mature form of the protein. Wheat germ agglutinin, a GlcNAc-specific probe, bound to AP-3 and the binding was blocked by excess GlcNAc but not by excess mannose. Purified AP-3, and AP-3 in coated vesicles derived from bovine brain, served as substrates for beta-D-galactosyltransferase which is specific for terminal GlcNAc residues. Analysis of the disaccharide released by beta-elimination indicated that single GlcNAc residues are attached to AP-3 through an O-glycosidic linkage to threonine or serine residues. In vivo 32P-labeled AP-3, the result of serine phosphorylation (Keen, J. H., and Black, M.M. (1986) J. Cell Biol. 102, 1325-1333), bound to wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose indicating that phosphorylation and glycosylation can occur simultaneously on the same molecule. Both modifications have been mapped to the central 50-kDa structural domain that is responsible for the anomalous migration of AP-3. Consistent with localization to the nonclathrin binding domain, the O-GlcNAc modification does not play a discernible role in the interaction of AP-3 with clathrin.