cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When Obligate Partners Melt Down

ABSTRACT Insect hosts derive benefits from their obligate symbionts, including nutrient supplementation and the ability to colonize otherwise inhospitable niches. But long-term symbionts sometimes also limit the ecological range of their hosts; in particular, they are often more temperature sensitive than the hosts themselves. Even small increases in average temperature, comparable to those occurring under current conditions of climate change, can kill symbionts and, with them, their hosts. In some cases, limitations imposed by obligate symbionts may help to counter the spread of invasive pests, but they also contribute to contractions in populations and geographic ranges of invertebrate species.
Needs-Based Innovation in Interventional Radiology: The Biodesign Process

There are many possible mechanisms for innovation and bringing new technology into the marketplace. The Stanford Biodesign innovation process is based in a deep understanding of clinical unmet needs as the basis for focused ideation and development. By identifying and vetting a compelling unmet need, the aspiring innovator can "derisk" a project and maximize chances for successful development in an increasingly challenging regulatory and economic environment. As a specialty founded by tinkerers, with a history of disruptive innovation that has yielded countless new ways of delivering care with minimal invasiveness, lower morbidity, and lower cost, interventional radiologists are uniquely well positioned to identify unmet needs and develop novel solutions free of dogmatic convention.
Probabilistic Model-Based Prognostics Using Meshfree Modeling

Improved system reliability and reduced maintenance cost are guaranteed if the prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) is deemed to be accurate. Energy systems, like wind turbines, are the primary beneficiaries of this achievement as they tend to suffer from an unexpected early life failure of components that resulted in the loss of revenue and high maintenance costs. The issue of uncertainty in the prediction of a future state is yet a prevailing issue in prognostics and due attention is paramount. Hence, there is a need for establishing a comprehensive framework to quantify uncertainty in prognostics and this research addresses this issue by considering a research question that reads ‘can uncertainty considerations improve the prediction of RUL?’ The following specific aims were developed to answer the research question: (1) develop a meshfree cantilever beam with uncertainty in loading conditions, and (2) predict remaining useful life reliably. A probabilistic framework was developed that efficiently predicts remaining useful life of a component using a combination of meshfree model and degradation model. To account for prediction uncertainty, modeling and loading uncertainties are quantified and incorporated into the framework. As an example, the problem of a cantilever beam subjected to a fatigue loading was considered and local radial point interpolation method was used to find the stresses. The cyclic stresses and the damage model, constructed using the S-N equation, are implemented in the prognostics framework to predict the RUL. Uncertainties in the RUL were quantified in terms of probability density functions, cumulative distribution functions, and 98% confidence limit. The prognostics framework is flexible and can be used as a starting point for RUL prediction of other physical phenomena such as crack propagation, by incorporating more sources of uncertainties in order to make it comprehensive.
The role of glutamate in neuronal ion homeostasis: A case study of spreading depolarization

Simultaneous changes in ion concentrations, glutamate, and cell volume together with exchange of matter between cell network and vasculature are ubiquitous in numerous brain pathologies. A complete understanding of pathological conditions as well as normal brain function, therefore, hinges on elucidating the molecular and cellular pathways involved in these mostly interdependent variations. In this paper, we develop the first computational framework that combines the Hodgkin–Huxley type spiking dynamics, dynamic ion concentrations and glutamate homeostasis, neuronal and astroglial volume changes, and ion exchange with vasculature into a comprehensive model to elucidate the role of glutamate uptake in the dynamics of spreading depolarization (SD)—the electrophysiological event underlying numerous pathologies including migraine, ischemic stroke, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hematoma, and trauma. We are particularly interested in investigating the role of glutamate in the duration and termination of SD caused by K+ perfusion and oxygen-glucose deprivation. Our results demonstrate that glutamate signaling plays a key role in the dynamics of SD, and that impaired glutamate uptake leads to recovery failure of neurons from SD. We confirm predictions from our model experimentally by showing that inhibiting astrocytic glutamate uptake using TFB-TBOA nearly quadruples the duration of SD in layers 2-3 of visual cortical slices from juvenile rats. The model equations are either derived purely from first physical principles of electroneutrality, osmosis, and conservation of particles or a combination of these principles and known physiological facts. Accordingly, we claim that our approach can be used as a future guide to investigate the role of glutamate, ion concentrations, and dynamics cell volume in other brain pathologies and normal brain function.
Child care type, access, and quality in rural areas of the United States: a review

Millions of children in the United States live in rural areas and often start school with fewer school readiness skills than counterparts in urban areas. Access to high-quality child care could be ...
Neutropenia as a Complication of Tumefactive Demyelinating Disease: A Case Report

Abstract Tumefactive demyelination is an aggressive, localized, generally solitary area of demyelination that often mimics a neoplasm. We present a case of a 13-year-old female patient who presented with sudden-onset progressive hemiplegia and hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed tumefactive demyelination with partial rim of enhancement. During inpatient rehabilitation, she developed myalgias, rash, and abdominal and mouth pain with evidence for severe neutropenia. The neutropenia was determined to be a secondary complication of the tumefactive disease process. This scenario may be concerning in an inpatient rehabilitation setting, as patients share common areas, increasing the risk of acquired infection while neutropenic. Level of Evidence To be determined.
Evaluating the U.S. Estuary Restoration Act to inform restoration policy implementation: A case study focusing on oyster reef projects

Abstract Recent research revealing the extent of marine habitat degradation has ignited a surge of restoration efforts globally. Restoration of estuarine habitats became a priority in the United States with the Estuary Restoration Act (ERA) of 2000. In the present study, a synthesis of data from the National Estuaries Restoration Inventory (NERI), developed in response to ERA requirements to track and disseminate project data, was conducted in order to analyze U.S. oyster reef restoration efforts. From 2000–2011, more than $45 million was invested in 187 projects to restore over 150 ha of oyster reef habitat, with projects most heavily concentrated in the Chesapeake Bay area and Florida Gulf coast. Trends over time indicate that projects are being implemented at larger scales, increasing from an average of less than 0.4 ha in 2000 to over 1 ha on average in 2011. Costs per unit decreased from an average of more than $2.1 million per ha in 2000 to just over $500,000 per ha in 2011. However, our analysis confirms one major problem hindering the field of restoration ecology: a lack of monitoring data or project-specific assessments of success. Habitat restoration has become an increasingly common effort in the policy sector, and gaps identified through this analysis can help inform future policy making and implementation. Better facilitation of data dissemination and further research on economies of scale in restoration projects are two key areas for improvement. As the field of restoration ecology continues to grow, it is critical that both new and current restoration practitioners, scientists, and decision-makers are able to learn from past projects and apply that collective knowledge to future restoration efforts.
Resiliency-based optimization of restoration policies for electric power distribution systems

Abstract A modeling framework based on resiliency is proposed for the evaluation and optimization of restoration policies for electric power distribution systems subject to extreme weather events. In order to quantify resiliency, understood as a property of a power distribution system that allows it to be restored from a disrupted state to a predefined level of normal operating conditions, a set of evaluation metrics is defined. A multi-dimensional resiliency measure is considered that includes response-time components, information availability, and quality of service. The concept of resiliency frontier is presented as an upper bound for system resiliency for a given set of possible restoration prioritization strategies. Optimization is performed over the set of feasible restoration policies, information investments, and human resource availability to determine optimal customer and system-wide monetary utility. The methodology is tested in medium-sized power distribution systems to obtain optimal restoration policies and determine resource allocation.
Synthetic explorations of the briarane jungle: progress in developing a synthetic route to a common family of diterpenoid natural products.

The briarane diterpenoids are a large family of marine natural products that have been primarily isolated from gorgonian octocorals around the world. Structurally, the family is characterized by a trans -fused bicyclo[8.4.0]tetradecane ring system containing a central, stereogenic, all-carbon quaternary carbon (C1) flanked by three additional stereocentres (C2, C10, C14). Many family members have demonstrated biological activity in numerous areas, including: cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, immunomodulatory and insect control. Despite their interesting structural properties and bioactivity, the briaranes have been largely overlooked by the synthetic community. However, in recent years, several research groups have reported progress toward developing a synthetic route to these natural products. Most of these efforts have focused on the stereoselective construction of the central C1–C2–C10–C14 stereotetrad. This review will discuss the various synthetic efforts aimed at the briarane diterpenoids along with the challenges that remain.
Evolution, Temporality, and Ethics: On Kierkegaard’s Surprising Relevance to Eco-Theology

Christian eco-theologians often focus significant critical attention on anthropocentric accounts of religious faith in which ‘the relation between God and the world is narrowed to God and the individual' (McFague 2008: 68). Some mention Soren Kierkegaard by name as a villain in this respect since his work is fixated on the human being's relation to God in the context of temporality and pays little attention to the physical world. I argue that eco-theologians are nonetheless writing a bright future for Kierkegaardian religious ethics precisely by embracing the insight of evolutionary biology that matter itself is historical. Stemming from an awareness of matter's inherent dynamism, eco-theological attempts to reconcile religious commitments with contemporary science engender ethical recommendations of openness to life's uncharted future. Kierkegaard's insights into the challenges of relating to temporal uncertainty therefore gain a surprisingly concrete ethical relevance in light of evolutionary science.
Reconstitution of the high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E.

This chapter focuses on the reconstitution of the Fee receptor with high affinity for immunoglobulin E (FcєRI). This receptor is found exclusively on mast cells, basophils, and related cells. Its aggregation initiates the release of mediators responsible for the allergic reaction. Understanding its function will not only shed light on the field of Fc receptors in general but may also help in designing new treatments of allergy.
The WTO dispute settlement understanding: an unlikely weapon in the fight against AIDS.

This Note discusses how a narrowly tailored pharmaceutical product licensing program that is aimed at addressing the AIDS crisis in developing countries would be consistent with the World Trade Organizations (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) which governs IP rights within the WTO. This Note analyzes a recent WTO Panel decision in Canada--Patent Protection of Pharmaceutical Products (Canada) to discuss how a public health drug licensing program could fall within the exception to full patent protection contained in Article 30 of the TRIPS Agreement. Additionally this Note argues that developing nations should use the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) to establish a uniform approach to drug licensing for public health purposes. Part II of this Note discusses how international trade affects the spread of AIDS in developing countries. Part II also discusses how the WTO functions its IP regime special provisions for developing countries and its dispute resolution mechanism. Part III analyzes the public health implications of the protection of IP rights within the WTO. This section discusses the impact of the TRIPS Agreement on the ability of developing countries to fight the AIDS crisis focusing on the cases of Thailand South Africa and India. Part IV looks at how the recent WTO Panel decision in Canada suggests that a program granting drug licenses for AIDS drugs could qualify as an exception under Article 30 of the TRIPS Agreement. This note focuses on the impact of trade policy on the AIDS crisis because AIDS is a deadly disease that is near crisis stage in developing countries and because it is treatable with the use of pharmaceutical products that are governed by the WTO. This Note concludes that countries should take advantage of the WTOs dispute resolution mechanism to establish a uniform approach to the AIDS crisis in the developing world. (excerpt)
Linking Flavor Chemistry to Sensory Analysis of Wine

Historically the evaluation of wine flavor, both sensorially and chemically, focused on the presence or absence of defects (e.g., clarity, color, volatile acidity, etc.). This frequently involved the use of “expert” tasters who evaluated the appearance, color, odor, taste, and mouthfeel of a wine to arrive at an overall impression of wine “quality” based on the absence of defects and the overall “balance” of the sensory properties of the wine. Early analytical measurements involved identifying and quantifying major wine components such as ethanol, organic acids, pH, and sugars, as well as trace minerals and heavy metals. As discussed by Linskens and Jackson (1988) development of these analytical methods in the 19th century linked the measurement of sensory defects to wine composition and served as a basis for many early laws aimed at protecting wine “quality”.
Unoccupied Aircraft Systems in Marine Science and Conservation

The use of unoccupied aircraft systems (UASs, also known as drones) in science is growing rapidly. Recent advances in microelectronics and battery technology have resulted in the rapid development ...
PO-232 The Regulation of Vimentin in Skeletal Muscle Fibrosis Affected by High-load Exercise

Objective Long-term movement could induce micro-damage of skeletal muscle, increase collagen significantly, and appear skeletal muscle fibrosis. Vimentin is one of the most important proteins in evaluating the fibrosis after muscle injury. TGF-β1 could up-regulate Vimentin expression, promoting cell migration and accelerating fibrosis and injury repair. This study mainly explored the role of TGF-β1/Vim in skeletal muscle fibrosis affected by a bout of high-load exercise. And we tried to find whether the expression of vimentin could regulate the regeneration of muscle fiber and the remodeling of connective tissue. Methods SD rats were divided into 7groups: control group, immediately, 6-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour after group. Western Blot was used to detect TGF-β1, vimentin, RhoA, ROCK1 and CTGF(connective tissue growth factor) expressions. Electron microscopy was used to observe the changes of collagen in skeletal muscle. Results Vimentin protein exprsssion increased quickly at 6-hour after exerciese. At 48-hour, the vimentin expression reached the peak. And then the expression of vimentin gradually decreased. The expressions of TGF-β1, RhoA, ROCK1 and CTGF gradually increased after exercise. The peak of these expressions appeared at 12-hour respectively. Then these protein expressions declined slowly. Collagen in skeletal muscle became long and thick in 48-hour and 72-hour after exercise. Conclusions A bout of high-load exercise could induce skeletal muscle fibrosis. RhoA-ROCK1 maybe affect TGF-β1/Vim expressions as main regulators, and then the protein expression vimentin could regulate the regeneration of muscle fiber and the remodeling of connective tissue as an important evaluation factor.
Inhibition of c-Met signaling by SU11274 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

5973 The c-Met receptor and its ligand HGF have been shown to be upregulated in HNSCC tumors. c-Met can also have an activating tyrosine kinase domain mutation in HNSCC. SU11274 is a novel small molecule c-Met inhibitor. We evaluated HNSCC tumor samples from 10 patients by immunohistochemistry for c-Met, activated phospho-c-Met pY1003 and pY1234/1235, and HGF. Total c-Met expression was measured by immunoblot in 7 HNSCC cell lines. More than 75% of HNSCC tumor samples expressed both c-Met and activated phospho-c-Met - with pY1003 expression being more prominent than pY1234/1235. HGF expression was seen consistently primarily with cytoplasmic staining in the tumor. All 7 cell lines tested showed expression of c-Met. 5 HNSCC cell lines were treated with SU11274 (small molecule inhibitor against c-Met) at 2μM & 5μM and signaling pathways were examined using immunoblot analysis with various antibodies. 2 HNSCC cell lines were treated with HGF (40ng/ml & 80ng/ml), SU11274 (5μM), and combinations. Cell numbers were measured by MTT assays at 0h, 24h, 48h, and 72h. p-Tyr immunoblots showed activity of SU11274 resulting in a dose dependant decrease in phosphorylation of a number of proteins. Marked inhibition of c-Met signaling was documented in the presence of SU11274 with decreased levels of phospho-c-Met (both pY1003 & pY1230/1234/1235), phospho-Akt (pT308), phospho-Erk1/2 (pTpY185/187), phospho-p70S6K (pT389), and phospho-SHP2 (pY542) at 2μM and complete abrogation of signaling to baseline levels at 5μM. MTT survival assays showed that both 2 and 5μM of SU11274 lead to decreased cell growth in one of the tested HNSCC cell lines and abrogate HGF induced cell proliferation. c-Met signaling plays an important role in HNSCC growth and signaling. Inhibition of c-Met signaling by SU11274 leads to abrogation of respective signaling pathways and in certain HNSCC cell lines growth inhibition.
Disparities among racial/ethnic groups of patients diagnosed with ependymoma: analyses from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry

The aim of this study was to identify racial/ethnic disparities with regard to survival among patients with ependymoma. Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry between the years of 1973–2015 which included 4821 patients diagnosed with ependymoma were analyzed. Multivariable cox proportional hazard ratios were performed to examine overall survival across racial/ethnic groups of patients with ependymoma, mortality risks across specified age groups, and mortality during specified time intervals, all with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Non-Hispanic black patients (n = 421) have higher risk of overall mortality when compared to non-Hispanic white patients (n = 3255) with ependymoma (HR 1.48, CI 1.17–1.87). Risk of mortality was highest when comparing non-Hispanic black children under the age of 3 to non-Hispanic white children of the same age group (HR 3.05, CI 1.55–5.99). Mortality risk has increased among pediatric non-Hispanic black patients compared to pediatric non-Hispanic white patients between the years of 2006–2015, from previous rates between the years 1973–2005 (HR 1.95, CI 1.15–3.33 and HR 2.35, CI 1.24–4.44). Hispanic patients under 3 years had an increased risk of mortality compared to non-Hispanic white patients of this age group (HR 2.49, CI 1.37–4.53). Asian/Pacific Islander patients (n = 282) had no significant difference in outcomes when compared to non-Hispanic white patients. Our findings showed higher risk of mortality among non-Hispanic black patients compared to non-Hispanic white patients with ependymoma, with highest risk among pediatric patients. These results demonstrate significant need for research in survival outcomes for this disease.
Association of Duration of Hypotension With Survival After Pediatric Cardiac Arrest.

Objectives To evaluate the association of a single episode of hypotension and burden of hypotension with survival to hospital discharge following resuscitation from pediatric cardiac arrest. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Single-center PICU. Patients Patients between 1 day and 18 years old who had a cardiac arrest, received chest compressions for more than 2 minutes, had return of spontaneous circulation for more than 20 minutes, and survived to receive postresuscitation care in the ICU. Interventions None. Measurement and main results One-hundred sixteen patients were evaluable. Hypotension, defined as systolic blood pressure less than the fifth percentile for age and sex, occurred in 37 patients (32%) within the first 6 hours and 64 (55%) within 72 hours of postresuscitation ICU care. There was no significant difference in survival to discharge for patients who had a single episode of hypotension within 6 hours (51% vs 69%; p = 0.06) or within 72 hours (56% vs 73%; p = 0.06). Burden of hypotension was defined as the percentage of hypotension measurements that were below the fifth percentile. After controlling for patient and cardiac arrest event characteristics, a higher burden of hypotension within the first 72 hours of ICU postresuscitation care was associated with decreased discharge survival (adjusted odds ratio = 0.67 per 10% increase in hypotension burden; 95% CI, 0.48-0.86; p = 0.006). Conclusions After successful resuscitation from pediatric cardiac arrest, systolic hypotension was common (55%). A higher burden of postresuscitation hypotension within the first 72 hours of ICU postresuscitation care was associated with significantly decreased discharge survival, after accounting for potential confounders including number of doses of epinephrine, arrest location, and arrest etiology due to airway obstruction or trauma.
Plasma and Urinary Glycosaminoglycans as Evidence for Endotheliopathy in a Swine Burn Model.

Abstract Background The endothelial glycocalyx controls vascular permeability, cellular signaling, blood-endothelial cell adhesion, extravasation, and transmission of shear stress signals. Burn injury compromises integrity of this layer increasing vascular permeability, which is further exacerbated by large volumes of (intravenous) crystalloids. We have shown that enteral resuscitation is able to reverse burn-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), and herein, we present a follow-up examination of the integrity of the glycocalyx layer and its relationship with renal dysfunction after burn injury. Materials and methods Anesthetized Yorkshire pigs sustained 40% total body surface area full-thickness contact burns and recovered in metabolic cages for one of three treatments: no fluids (oral or intravenous); (n = 6), ad libitum water (n = 6), or volume-matched oral rehydration solution (ORS; n = 6) for 48 h. Urine and blood were collected at baseline (BL), 6, 12, 24, 32, and 48 h after burn at which point kidneys were harvested. Results In no fluid and water groups (but not ORS), plasma levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were elevated after burn (P ≤ 0.031). Syndecan-1 was elevated by 6 h after burn in all animals, but levels declined by 24 h with enteral fluids. Urinary GAGs in the no-fluid group were elevated after burn. No differences among treatments were detected in syndecan-1 levels, or glomerular lectin within the kidney. Conclusions Collectively, these data demonstrate that ORS prevented increases in circulating GAGs. Furthermore, an inexpensive and simple method for detecting GAGs provides a sensitive measure of endotheliopathy after burn.
Monopoly’s winners and losers: Elwha River Dam construction as social closure

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (LEKT) sits at mouth of mouth of the Elwha River, a river that has experienced the largest dam removal project in US history. According to tribal members, the dam structures violated treaty rights that protect tribal fishing and disrupted Klallam’s social and cultural life. Using Weberian social closure as lens, this paper investigates how the customs that organized access to the Elwha River and its resources were replaced by rigid, settler colonial legal structures that served and protected individual wealth and property accumulation while demarcating the separateness of Klallam identity from American identity. Enabled by these structures, a small group of entrepreneurs and financiers were able to monopolize and transform the Elwha River. The damming of the Elwha preempted Klallam resistance by limiting their participation in everyday resistances through the spatial, physical, and social reorganization of the river. In this way, settler colonial structures working through individuals transformed the work of the river, in service of the settler state. The analysis suggests that in the absence of decolonization efforts, contemporary dam removal and ecological restoration may have limited ability to upend the social hierarchies and settler colonial structures at the root of environmental injustice in Indigenous communities. The unprecedented scale of the Elwha River ecosystem restoration signals an opportunity for future research to explore the connections between ecosystem restoration, cultural revitalization, sustainable self-determination, and decolonization.
3D Printed Pyroelectric Lithium-Niobate High Voltages Source with Pull-in Regulated Output

In this paper, a high voltage source (output voltage 1.03 kV), with low system mass density and compact size is realized for micro-robotics using 3D printed conductive polylactic acid (CPLA) polymer. The device includes both the resistive heater and an electrostatically actuated cantilever switch in tight integration with a pyroelectric crystal. A lithium niobate crystal is embedded within the heater to generate high voltages using the pyroelectric effect and the electrostatic actuator transfers this voltage at its pull-in voltage. The low density of CPLA material and the ability to integrate the voltage source and pull-in cantilever switch in the same material can potentially enable fast design capability for battery driven autonomous micro-robotics.
Cervical spine degenerative disease is an independent risk factor for increased revision rate following total knee arthroplasty.

The relationship between cervical degenerative pathology and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) revision rates is not well understood. The aim of the study was to determine whether cervical spine degenerative diseases have a role in complications following TKA within 2 years. Data were collected from the Humana insurance database using the PearlDiver Patient Records Database from 2007–2017. Patients who had a primary TKA were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 27,447, and patients with degenerative cervical disease were identified using CPT and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. Data on patients’ demographics, comorbidities and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis with significance set at p < 0.05. A Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to estimate the 1- and 2-year rates of survival free from revision. A total of 81,873 patients were included in this study. Following multivariate analysis, cervical spine degenerative disease patients were at increased risk of all-cause revision surgery following 1 year (OR: 1.342 95% CI: 1.149–1.569; p < 0.001) and 2 year (OR: 1.338; 95% CI: 1.184–1.512; p < 0.001). At 2 years, patients with cervical spine degenerative disease had a survival rate of 97.7%, while the survival rate was 99.2% among the non-cervical degenerative cohort. Based on these results, patients with cervical spine degenerative pathology should be counseled that their spinal pathology may impair outcomes following TKA.
3D Human motion anticipation and classification.

Human motion prediction and understanding is a challenging problem. Due to the complex dynamic of human motion and the non-deterministic aspect of future prediction. We propose a novel sequence-to-sequence model for human motion prediction and feature learning, trained with a modified version of generative adversarial network, with a custom loss function that takes inspiration from human motion animation and can control the variation between multiple predicted motion from the same input poses. Our model learns to predict multiple future sequences of human poses from the same input sequence. We show that the discriminator learns general presentation of human motion by using the learned feature in action recognition task. Furthermore, to quantify the quality of the non-deterministic predictions, we simultaneously train a motion-quality-assessment network that learns the probability that a given sequence of poses is a real human motion or not. We test our model on two of the largest human pose datasets: NTURGB-D and Human3.6M. We train on both single and multiple action types. Its predictive power for motion estimation is demonstrated by generating multiple plausible futures from the same input and show the effect of each of the loss functions. Furthermore, we show that it takes less than half the number of epochs to train an activity recognition network by using the feature learned from the discriminator.
Recent advances in small angle x-ray scattering for superlattice study

Small-angle x-ray scattering is used for the structure determination of superlattice for its superior resolution, nondestructive nature, and high penetration power of x rays. With the advent of high brilliance x-ray sources and innovative computing algorithms, there have been notable advances in small angle x-ray scattering analysis of superlattices. High brilliance x-ray beams have made data analyses less model-dependent. Additionally, novel data acquisition systems are faster and more competitive than ever before, enabling a more accurate mapping of the superlattices' reciprocal space. Fast and high-throughput computing systems and algorithms also make possible advanced analysis methods, including iterative phasing algorithms, non-parameterized fitting of scattering data with molecular dynamics simulations, and the use of machine learning algorithms. As a result, solving nanoscale structures with high resolutions has become an attainable task. In this review, we highlight new developments in the field and introduce their applications for the analysis of nanoscale ordered structures, including nanoparticle supercrystals, nanoscale lithography patterns, and supramolecular self-assemblies. Particularly, we highlight the reciprocal space mapping techniques and the use of iterative phase retrieval algorithms. We also cover coherent-beam-based small angle x-ray scattering techniques such as ptychography and ptycho-tomography in view of the traditional small angle x-ray scattering perspective.
Measuring immigration's effects on labor demand: A reexamination of the Mariel Boatlift

Abstract Why do immigration shocks tend to have benign effects on native wages? One reason is that immigrants as consumers contribute to the demand for their services. We model an economy where workers spend their wages on a locally produced good, then test it via a reexamination of the 1980 “Mariel Boatlift” using Wacziarg's Channel Transmission methodology. Current Population Survey data on workers in 9 different retail labor markets and Survey of Buying Power data on retail spending by consumers in Miami and four comparison cities are used. We find strong evidence that the Mariel Boatlift augmented labor demand.
Customer-Initiated and Firm-Initiated Online Shopping Visits under Competition for Attention: A Conceptual Model and Empirical Analysis

In the recent past, several studies have empirically compared the effectiveness of two or more online marketing channels in influencing consumer behavior. While some of these studies have found that the effectiveness tends to vary across channels, at a conceptual level, there is no clear understanding of why such consumer differences exist. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop a conceptual understanding of how different online marketing channels work so that they can be deployed effectively. To address this need, we present a conceptual model based on prior research in online visit types and competition for attention. Specifically, we examine whether the influence of the type of visit (customer-initiated or firm-initiated) engendered by the marketing channel is moderated by the competition for the consumer’s attention inherent in the channel. The model helps us understand why and how different online channels influence consumers’ search and purchase behaviors in different ways. We test our research hypotheses based on this model by conducting an empirical study on data obtained from a major financial services firm and also on data from an online computer retailer. The results from the empirical analysis provide support for our central thesis that competition for attention moderates the influence of the type of visit on online shopping behavior, and help us identify important managerial implications.
Geriatric Implications of Surgical Oncology

Surgical oncology is cancer care that focuses on using surgery to diagnose, stage, and treat cancer and is one of the main treatments for malignancy. Patients older than 65 years are generally considered geriatric. The incidence of cancer in geriatric patients is increasing annually. Candidacy for surgical intervention depends on factors such as cancer type, size, location, grade and stage of the tumor, and the patient's overall health status and age. Despite increasing agreement that age should not limit treatment options, geriatric patients tend to be undertreated. Cancer in geriatric patients has different features than in younger patients. As such, treatment options may be dissimilar in these 2 cohorts. Here, care of the geriatric patient undergoing surgical oncology interventions is discussed.
The Nuances of 'Tag-Gag' Laws

This Essay addresses what I have elsewhere called “Tag-Gag” Laws—laws that regulate and restrict how companies can label and advertise plant-based meat products. Plant-based meat is food made entirely from plants that replicates the taste and texture of animal meat. As plant-based meat sales have grown exponentially in recent years, increasing numbers of states have passed Tag-Gag laws; companies selling plant-based meat, in turn, have challenged these laws in court. When covering these lawsuits, the media often (and understandably) lumps them altogether. If a plant-based company wins a preliminary injunction against a state law, it is viewed as a victory for plant-based foods in the labeling wars; if a state survives a preliminary injunction, the media reports the opposite. But not all Tag-Gag laws are created equal, and this Essay draws attention to their important differences. It identifies and categorizes three Tag-Gag variants and discusses how each variant has different legal ramifications. It also proposes specific approaches that companies can follow when challenging the different categories of Tag-Gag laws.
On-line Analytical Processing Systems for Business

Figures Preface Abbreviations Introduction to On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) Systems OLAP Systems Versus Other Systems Decision Making in an OLAP Environment Bibliography: Part I The Essential Elements of OLAP Data Warehousing and Data Communications OLAP Software Implementing a Successful OLAP System Bibliography: Part II Typical Applications of OLAP Strategic Planning in an OLAP Environment Marketing in an OLAP Environment Manufacturing in an OLAP Environment Accounting and Finance in an OLAP Environment Human Resources in an OLAP Environment Bibliography: Part III Index
Elicitation of natural language representations of uncertainty using computer technology

Knowledge elicitation is an important aspect of risk analysis. Knowledge about risks must be accurately elicited from experts for use in risk assessments. Knowledge and perceptions of risks must also be accurately elicited from the public in order to perform policy analysis and develop and implement programs intelligently. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is developing computer technology to elicit knowledge from experts and the public effectively and efficiently. This paper discusses software developed to elicit natural language representations of uncertainty. The software is written in Common Lisp and resides on VAX Computer Systems and Symbolics Lisp machines. The software has three goals: to determine (1) preferences for using natural language terms for representing uncertainty, (2) likelihood rankings of the terms, and (3) the way likelihood estimates are combined to form new terms. The first two goals relate to providing useful results for those interested in risk communication. The third relates to providing cognitive data to further our understanding of people’s decision making under uncertainty. The software is used to elicit natural language terms used to express the likelihood that various agents will cause cancer in humans and that cancer will result in various maladies, and the likelihood of everyday events.
Evaluation of Hydroxyalkyl-Functionalized Imidazolium-based Ionic Liquids as Solvents for the Extraction of Metal Ions

As part of a broader effort to evaluate the suitability of a variety of ionic liquids (ILs) as solvents for the extraction of actinides and fission products, a series of new ILs containing a (1-hydroxyalkyl)-functionalized imidazolium cation have been prepared and characterized. Although certain of their physicochemical properties (e.g., density, liquidus range) remain largely unaffected vs their N,N′-dialkylimidazolium analogs by hydroxyl-functionalization, other characteristics (e.g., hydrophilicity) are measurably changed. In addition, this functionalization has been found to alter the “balance of pathways” among the various routes by which a metal ion may partition between aqueous nitric acid solutions and ionic liquids containing a neutral extractant.
Digital simulation of the channel flow-through electrochemical cell: A theorectical study of the determination of solute adsorption on modified electrodes

Digital simulation is carried out to simulate transfer in a channel flow-through electrochemical cell to determine whether or not adsorption at the electrode surface can be studied in a chromatographic experiment. The theory suggests that the answer is a qualified, “yes”. When done correctly the retention of a solute is perceptible when the equilibrium constant for its association with a surface site is 102M−1, and quantitatible when K = 103M−1. The experiment must be done in a way that maximizes the phase ratio.
Is Illinois heeding the call to regionalize pancreatic surgery

Background and Objectives Recommendations to refer pancreatic procedures to high-volume centers have been in place for a decade. We sought to determine whether regionalization of pancreatic procedures to high-volume centers is occurring in Illinois. Methods We compared pancreatic procedures performed in Illinois hospitals from 2000 to 2004 [time period (TP) 1] versus 2005–2009 (TP2) for changes in inpatient mortality and hospital volume. Hospitals were categorized into low- (LVH), intermediate- (IVH), or high-volume (HVH). Results From TP1 to TP2, there was a 23% increase in absolute case volume (2,232–2,737), despite fewer hospitals performing pancreatic procedures (114–95). In hospital mortality decreased (5.5–3.3%, P < 0.01) and was lowest at HVHs. LVHs and IVHs were associated with a 4.7 and 3.0 higher odds of mortality, respectively (both P < 0.001). Overall, HVHs performed 659 (+73%) more procedures, whereas cumulative procedure volume dropped by 154 cases at LVHs (+1%) and IVHs (−18%). Conclusions We observed limited evidence of regionalization of pancreatic procedures in Illinois. The increase in HVH case volume cannot be solely attributed to regionalization, given the corresponding modest decrease seen at non-HVHs. There is opportunity for Illinois hospitals to implement strategies such as selective referral to improve mortality after pancreatic resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:685–691. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The epidemiology of schizophrenia among Caribbean-born and first- and second-generation migrants in Britain

The study of migrants in their new environments is often a useful means of investigating environmental influences on health. Migrants have been found to develop higher rates of mental illness compared to their counterparts who remain at home. These deleterious effects of migration have been attributed to selection factors and stressful life experiences. Migration from an agricultural and traditional society to an urban industrial society where value systems can be demanding, often leads to role strain and role conflict. These kinds of incongruities are the beginning of a series of stressful experiences that contribute to poor health/mental health status. The extent to which one experiences stress is dependent on a number of factors. First, it depends on the perceived difference between home and the new environment. Second, it depends on the cultural homogeneity of the new environment, that is, the extent to which the migrant is readily assimilated into the new culture or is able to maintain a traditional lifestyle by living in an ethnic enclave, and the psychological resources available to successfully access services in the new environment. This paper examines the rates, incidence, and prevalence of schizophrenia found in Caribbean-born immigrants to Britain, and first- and second-generation people of Caribbean background born in Britain. It is argued that Afro-Caribbean people in England are overrepresented in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Factors that may contribute to this finding range from unemployment, social disadvantage status, social adversity, racism in the health and criminal justice systems, and misdiagnosis.
Computer analysis of mammography phantom images (CAMPI)

Computer analysis of mammography phantom images (CAMPI) is a method for objective and precise measurements of phantom image quality in mammography. This investigation applied CAMPI methodology to the Fischer Mammotest Stereotactic Digital Biopsy machine. Images of an American College of Radiology phantom centered on the largest two microcalcification groups were obtained on this machine under a variety of x-ray conditions. Analyses of the images revealed that the precise behavior of the CAMPI measures could be understood from basic imaging physics principles. We conclude that CAMPI is sensitive to subtle image quality changes and can perform accurate evaluations of images, especially of directly acquired digital images.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Stomach mucosal lesions in stressed rats with and without post-stress rest.

Abstract A post-stress increase in stomach lesioning has been previously reported in the literature on animal stress. In an effort to examine this phenomenon, we performed four different experiments, three with restraint-tail shock and one with a conflict-footshock design. Stomachs of post-stressed rested rats were compared to stomachs of rats sacrificed immediately after the stress session an additional period of time equal to the rest period. None of the experiments gave any evidence that the rest period aggravated stomach lesioning. The conclusion is that the rest period effect must depend on factors unstated in previous work and that it appears to be a fragile phenomenon.
Experimental evaluation of the lateral contact force in horizontal wells

In horizontal and extended reach drilling, a large frictional drag may occur. If the pipe buckles laterally or into a helical shape, additional lateral contact force, LCF, is developed between the pipe and the wellbore wall, increasing the drag force. This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the lateral contact force between the drill pipe and the wellbore wall, for helical pipe configuration. Comparison of the experimental results with the current analytical models is also presented. A horizontal well was simulated using a 2-in-dia hole, 86-ft long, and three different sizes of pipe. Two different techniques were used to measure the lateral contact force. Results from both techniques seem to be in good agreement. The comparison with the current analytical models shows that higher values are predicted. The results will find application in directional drilling, horizontal drilling, and coiled tubing operations.
Prediction of Heat Transfer in Turbulent, Transpired Boundary Layers

Considered here is turbulent boundary layer flow with injection or suction and pressure gradient along the surface. The velocity and thermal inner laws for transpired turbulent boundary layers are represented by simple power law forms which are then used to solve the integral form of the thermal energy equation. Solving this equation leads to the variation of Stanton number with position, x, along the surface. Predicted Stanton numbers are compared with experimental data for a number of different cases. These include both blowing and suction with constant blowing fractions, F, in zero and non-zero pressure gradients and more complicated situations in which the blowing fraction, F, varies with position or where F or the surface temperature have step changes in value
An empirical method to refine personality disorder classification using stepwise logistic regression modeling to develop diagnostic criteria and thresholds

Abstract This study of DSM-III-R personality disorder (PD) classification provides an empirical approach to determine (1) the discriminative power of each criterion and (2) the optimal number of criteria needed to diagnose the presence of each PD. A semistructured assessment of 110 outpatients was performed for the 11 PDs and their 104 diagnostic criteria. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive powers were calculated for each criterion item. Logistic regression was performed to determine (1) univariate weightings of the individual criteria as applied to a given diagnosis, and (2) multivariate measures of the criteria that significantly improved the chi-square value in a stepwise fashion. The significant items were then equally weighted to calculate the optimal number needed to diagnose category member-ship. Of 104 PD criteria, 41 discriminated at a significance level of .05 or less, and each PD could be optimally diagnosed with fewer criteria than currently required. We can empirically reduce the number of criteria combinations comprising individual categories, decrease heterogeneity, and narrow diagnostic boundaries. This increases the likelihood of identifying etiological factors, predictors of clinical course, specific treatments, familial aggregation, and neurobiological correlates for the PD taxa.