cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HDL serves as a S1P signaling platform mediating a multitude of cardiovascular effects

The lysosphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a component of HDL. Findings from a growing number of studies indicate that S1P is a mediator of many of the cardiovascular effects of HDL, including the ability to promote vasodilation, vasoconstriction, and angiogenesis, protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury, and inhibit/reverse atherosclerosis. These latter cardioprotective effects are being shown to involve the S1P-mediated suppression of inflammatory processes, including reduction of the endothelial expression of monocyte and lymphocyte adhesion molecules, decreased recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells to sites of infarction, and blocking of cardiomyocyte apoptosis after myocardial infarction. This review article summarizes the evidence that S1P as a component of HDL serves to regulate vascular cell and lymphocyte behaviors associated with cardiovascular (patho)physiology.
Self-monitoring of web-based information disclosure

Free online tools such as search, email and mapping come with a cost. Web users obtain such services by making micropayments of personal and organizational information to the web service providers. Web companies use this information to create customized advertising and tailored user experiences. Individually, each transaction appears innocuous, but when aggregated, the result is often highly sensitive. The impact of AOL.s inadvertent disclosure of 20 million nominally anonymized search queries underscores the pressing need for increasing web privacy and raising user awareness of the problem. Rather than advocate extreme legal and policy measures to address the dilemma, this paper proposes an equitable self-monitoring solution. Self-monitoring allows individual users and large enterprises to regulate their web-based interactions intelligently and still allow online companies to innovate and flourish. The primary contributions of our work includes exploration of visualization techniques that support self-monitoring, a human-centric evaluation and the results of a user requirements survey.
Markerless Fluoroscopic Gating for Lung Cancer Radiotherapy Using Generalized Linear Discriminant Analysis

Respiratory gated radiotherapy for lung cancer allows for more precise delivery of prescribed radiation dose to the tumor, while minimizing normal tissue complications. Techniques for fluoroscopic gating without implanted fiducial markers have been developed in a classification framework. Due to the high-dimensionality nature of the images, dimensionality reduction techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) were used to preprocess the data. In this work, we have applied generalized linear discriminant analysis (GLDA) to the respiratory gating problem. The fundamental difference from conventional dimensionality reduction techniques is that GLDA explicitly takes into account the label information available in the training set and therefore is efficient for discrimination among classes. On average, GLDA was demonstrated to perform similarly with PCA trained with SVM at high nominal duty cycles and outperform PCA in terms of classification accuracy (CA) and target coverage (TC) at lower nominal duty cycle (20%). A major advantage of GLDA is its robustness, while CA and TC using PCA can be reduced by up to 10% depending on the data dimensionality. With only 1- dimensional feature vectors, GLDA is much more computationally efficient than PCA. Therefore, GLDA is an effective and efficient method for respiratory gating with markerless fluoroscopic images.
Quantitative functional MR imaging of the visual cortex at 1.5 T as a function of luminance contrast in healthy volunteers and patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), a few preliminary functional MR (fMR) imaging studies of the visual cortex reveal information about magnitude differences between healthy individuals and patients with MS at only a single luminance level. We therefore investigated whether varying luminance contrast levels can help uncover subtle changes in fMR imaging characteristics of the visual cortex in healthy volunteers and patients with MS. METHODS: Blood oxygenation level–dependent fMR imaging signal changes in the primary visual cortex were examined as a function of luminance contrast at 1.5 T in 10 healthy volunteers and nine patients with MS. Ten axial sections through the calcarine fissure were obtained with an echo-planar T2*-weighted imaging sequence (4000/54/1 [TR/TE/excitation]; field of view, 220 mm; voxel size, 1.72 × 1.72 × 5 mm). The imaging series consisted of an alternating 20-second rest epoch (black screen) with a 20-second activation epoch (flickering checkerboard) repeated six times. Each imaging series used a graded increase of eight luminance contrast levels. A paired t test between rest and activation images was used to analyze significant ( P RESULTS: A progressive increase in fMR imaging activation across all luminance contrast levels in healthy controls and patients with MS was shown. The patients with MS had a significantly lower magnitude in the number of fMR imaging activated voxels at all luminance contrast levels ( P CONCLUSION: Quantifiable changes in blood oxygenation level-dependent signal and a progressive increase in activated voxels within the primary visual cortex with increasing luminance contrast were demonstrated at 1.5 T in controls. The patients with MS showed a significant decrease in the number of activated voxels and an increase in activation threshold compared with healthy controls.
Development of helmet-mounted display symbology for use as a primary flight reference

The helmet-mounted display (HMD) will be used as the sole means of displaying head-up information to the pilot in future U.S. Air Force (USAF) fixed-wing tactical aircraft. For current fighter aircraft that employ the use of a stand-alone head-up display (HUD), the HMD will be integrated to provide the off-boresight symbology component of the head-up presentation. The symbology for on- and off-boresight use has to be designed to insure the effective interaction between display formats for conveyance of information to the pilot when transitioning between on- and off-boresight viewing angles. This is true for legacy aircraft where the symbology is presented in part by the HUD for on-boresight use with the HMD utilized for the off-boresight application and also for HUD-less aircraft, such as the Joint Strike Fighter, where symbology will be presented solely on the HMD. The Air Force Research Laboratory has been developing HMD symbology to meet the requirements to certify the HMD as a primary flight reference (PFR) for USAF fixed-wing tactical aircraft. This symbology has been designed to maximize the transference of attitude awareness to the pilot when switching between on- and off-boresight attitude references to help insure the pilot achieves correct awareness of spatial orientation. This paper describes the previous research that examined the ASAR for HUD applications, the design of the AFRL ASAR HUD symbology to replace the climb-dive ladder, and the planned flight test evaluation of the ASAR HUD for endorsement as a PFR.
Improved handling of structural fragile cell-biological specimens during electron microscopic preparation by the exchange method.

SUMMARY An exact method of preparation of soft biological specimens for electron microscopic analysis of surface fine structures is described. It allows routine preparations of fragile specimens for SEM and TEM imaging modes. With this procedure physical preparation parameters such as mechanical loads on the specimen surface or changes of temperature are controlled. The wet specimens are premounted in cheap disposable BEEM-containers or glass boats and are constantly kept under liquid in a closed system. The exchange of preparation media is performed continuously and, if necessary, over gradients. For comparative investigations with different EM-modes, at each step of the procedure parts of the specimens may be removed for individual processing. Conventionally prepared critical-point dried specimens are compared to those processed by the exchange technique and preservation of surface fine structures is demonstrated. Shadow-casted clathrin cages and stereo-replicas of virus infected cell cultures are shown in TEM preparations. For SEM, coverslip cell cultures and isolated glomerulus basement membranes are prepared and an additional flat embedding for TEM ultrathin sections is demonstrated.
Architecture-directed refinement

As critical computer systems continue to grow in complexity, the task of showing that they execute correctly becomes more difficult. For this reason, research in software engineering has turned to formal methods, i.e., rigorous approaches to demonstrating the correctness of software systems. Unfortunately, the formal methods currently used in the design of concurrent systems do not provide any mechanisms for specifying and reasoning about the mapping of software to hardware. As a result, architectural constraints, even though they play an important role in the design process, are left out of the formal framework. We show how to state architectural constraints in a formal notation, how to prove that programs are allocated correctly to the underlying architecture, and how to factor architectural considerations into a program derivation process which uses a mixture of specification and program refinements. The approach is illustrated by the derivation of two related programs that solve the same problem but are designed to work on distinct architectures. >
Lumbar spinal muscle activation synergies predicted by multi-criteria cost function.

The hypothesis that control of lumbar spinal muscle synergies is biomechanically optimized was studied by comparing EMG data with an analytical model with a multi-component cost function that could include (1) trunk displacements, (2) intervertebral displacements, (3) intervertebral forces; (4) sum of cubed muscle stresses, and (5) eigenvalues for the first two spinal buckling modes. The model's independent variables were 180 muscle forces. The 36 displacements of 6 vertebrae were calculated from muscle forces and the spinal stiffness. Calculated muscle activation was compared with EMG data from 14 healthy human subjects who performed isometric voluntary ramped maximum efforts at angles of 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees and 180 degrees to the right from the anterior direction. Muscle activation at each angle was quantified as the linear regression slope of the RMS EMG versus external force relationship, normalized by the maximum observed EMG.There was good agreement between the analytical model and EMG data for the dorsal muscles when the model included either minimization of intervertebral displacements or minimization of intervertebral forces in its cost function, but the model did not predict a realistic level of abdominal muscles activation. Agreement with EMG data was improved with the sum of the cubed muscle stresses added to the cost function. Addition of a cost function component to maximize the trunk stability produced higher levels of antagonistic muscle activation at low efforts than at greater efforts. It was concluded that the muscle activation strategy efficiently limits intervertebral forces and displacements, and that costs of higher muscle stresses are taken into account, but stability does not appear to be maximized. Trunk muscles are apparently not controlled solely to optimize any one of the biomechanical costs considered here.
Simulations Of A Magnetic Pulse Compressor

The 3-stage magnetic pulse compressor MAG 1-D has been modeled with a code which calculates the hysteresis behavior of magnetic cores placed within a circuit. The voltage waveforms: are shown to compare favorably with data taken by Barrett. A speculative modification to MAG 1-D, suggested by the reset behavior of the model, is discussed.
Cost-effectiveness of diabetes self-management programs in community primary care settings.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to estimate the cost-effectiveness of diabetes self-management programs in real-world community primary care settings. Estimates incorporated lifetime reductions...
Qualitative fault propagation in complex systems

The fault propagation aspects of an overall real-time control system are examined. A novel method is introduced that extends previous work done in the context of fault models and qualitative behavioral modeling for addressing the problem of fault propagation through a complex system. The goal of the proposed approach is to provide a tractable solution to the multiple failure problem within a reasonable time frame to permit some preventive or corrective action to be instituted before a catastrophic event occurs. Two basic approaches are being studied. The first involves the use of qualitative fault models and behavioral states to determine the impact of a failed component in a complex system. The second approach involves energy-based stability analysis and qualitative simulation. A space station thermal subsystem and a jet engine have been chosen as the basis for model and simulation work. >
Measuring the value of research data: a citation analysis of oceanographic data sets.

Evaluation of scientific research is becoming increasingly reliant on publication-based bibliometric indicators, which may result in the devaluation of other scientific activities - such as data curation – that do not necessarily result in the production of scientific publications. This issue may undermine the movement to openly share and cite data sets in scientific publications because researchers are unlikely to devote the effort necessary to curate their research data if they are unlikely to receive credit for doing so. This analysis attempts to demonstrate the bibliometric impact of properly curated and openly accessible data sets by attempting to generate citation counts for three data sets archived at the National Oceanographic Data Center. My findings suggest that all three data sets are highly cited, with estimated citation counts in most cases higher than 99% of all the journal articles published in Oceanography during the same years. I also find that methods of citing and referring to these data sets in scientific publications are highly inconsistent, despite the fact that a formal citation format is suggested for each data set. These findings have important implications for developing a data citation format, encouraging researchers to properly curate their research data, and evaluating the bibliometric impact of individuals and institutions.
Pride, Shame, and the Trouble with Trying to Be Normal

I performed 14 person-centered ethnographies with methamphetamine-using HIV-positive men who have sex with men in San Diego, California, who were all subjects of the "anti-meth apparatus," a collection of government and nongovernment organizations focused on meth use and its sequelae. The apparatus attempts to coerce addicts to develop and perform certain identities and emotions, though addicts are capable of both passive acceptance and active disruption. In my research, those who failed to become the apparatus's ideal subject felt shame, while those who succeeded expressed pride. Those hovering in the middle experienced a perpetual struggle to become normal and rarely, if ever, succeeded. [addiction, HIV/AIDS, subjectivity].
Numerical Simulation of a PAK-B Airfoil Using Fully Turbulent and Transition-Sensitive RANS Models

Numerical simulations of a PAK-B airfoil cascade have been performed using commercially available fully turbulent and transition-sensitive RANS models. A range of Reynolds numbers (25000 to 300000) and free-stream turbulence intensities (0.5% and 9%) were considered. Test conditions matched experiments by Volino (2002), and results from both turbulent and transition-sensitive RANS models are compared with the available experimental data. Two-equation fully turbulent RANS models failed to accurately predict the separation and reattachment region on the suction side of the airfoil. At Reynolds number 100000 and higher, in contrast to the experimental results, the SST model failed to predict flow separation even for low free-stream turbulence intensity cases. The transition sensitized RANS models; for instance transition-sensitive SST, and k-kL -ω models were able to predict separation and reattachment in most of the test cases. The k-kL -ω model produced reasonable results for low free-stream turbulence intensity cases, while the transition sensitized SST model results were close to experimental results for high free-stream turbulence intensity cases. Predicted location of the separation point was almost independent of Reynolds number for both transition models.© 2011 ASME
Interfacial Reactions in Titanium - Silicon Multilayers

We have used cross-section and through-foil TEM, RBS, and x-ray diffraction to investigate reactions upon rapid thermal annealing of sputtered Ti-Si multilayers of various compositions and bilayer spacings. This study addresses the behavior of the Ti-Si interface at low annealing temperatures (T> 600δC) to determine the extent to which interdiffusion occurs prior to suicide formation, and to detect the formation of the first suicide at an early stage. Whereas most previous work studied a single Ti-Si interface, we have used multilayer films because a reaction occurs at many interfaces, allowing detection of a phase even if it is formed to a very limited extent. The silicon layers in the as-deposited films are amorphous; the titanium layers are polycrystalline hep. The compositions of the samples are 40 at.% Ti, 60 at.% Si and 60 at.% Ti, 40 aL% Si, and the bilayer periodicity is about 10 nm. After a 30 second anneal at 455°C, significant interdiffusion occurs and we observed the formation of an amorphous Ti-Si alloy by interfacial reaction. The metastable disilicide, C49 TiSi2, nucleated along with a small amount of TiSi in the sample with higher silicon content (60%) upon annealing at 550°C for 10 seconds, but the amorphous alloy remained as the only product of reaction in the 40 at. % Si sample. Cross-section TEM of a sample fabricated at 60°C suggests that interdiffusion had begun during deposition of the films.
School Readiness of Children from Immigrant Families: Contributions of Region of Origin, Home, and Childcare.

Children from immigrant families make up a growing proportion of young children in the United States. This study highlights the heterogeneity in early academic skills related to parental region of origin. It also considers the contributions of early home and nonparental care settings to the diversity in early academic performance. Using nationally representative data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B; N ≅ 6,850), this study examines associations between parental region of origin and children’s math and reading skills at age 5. It also considers whether home and nonparental care environments are pathways through which parental region of origin relates to academic achievement. There was significant heterogeneity in children’s early reading and math skills related to parental region of origin. Children of Indian Asian and East Asian/Pacific Islander parents outscored children of native-born White parents and every other immigrant subgroup. Children of Mexican and Central American/Spanish Caribbean parents performed below other immigrant subgroups and native-born White children. Differences in child, socioeconomic, and family characteristics largely explained relations between parental region of origin and early academic skills. Indirect effects of early home environments and nonparental care played a modest but important role in explaining variability in academic skills related to region of origin.
Experimental demonstration of a distributed antenna array pre-synchronized for retrodirective transmission

We describe the key ideas behind our implementation of a distributed antenna array fully pre-synchronized for retrodirective transmission to an external receiver. In our implementation, a number of wireless transceivers in a network use a sequence of simple in-band wireless message exchanges to calibrate themselves so that these transceivers can obtain their channel gains to an external receiver using reciprocity simply by observing a single incoming transmission from that receiver without any channel feedback or other cooperation from the receiver. Some notable features of our implementation are as follows: (a) it automatically calibrates and corrects for unknown channel gains, oscillator offsets and drifts between the array nodes as well as the effect of non-reciprocal RF hardware; (b) it is fully wireless and endogenous i.e., does not use any wired backhaul connections or side channels including GPS; and (c) it uses simple signal processing on a standard and widely available software-defined radio platform based on off-the-shelf hardware and open-source software. Also, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever demonstration of a pre-synchronized distributed array, and thus our implementation serves as a proof-of-concept and allows for the development of more advanced distributed array techniques building on this capability.
Intermediate Checks of 0.02 Class Electric Energy Measuring Standard for Subordinated Power Supply Bureaus of Shaanxi Electric Power Corporation

Watt-hour meter is the measurement instrument controlled by state, which is applied to power trading and billing, its accuracy has a direct impact on economic interest of the two parties of power deal. In order to ensure the accuracy and reliability of 0.02 class electric energy measuring instrument for power supply bureaus under Shaanxi Electric Power Corporation during the interval of measuring and testing, in light of the actual condition of power supply bureaus, the control method based on combination of testing and intermediate checks is used to monitor measurement process.
Barrier effect of litter layer on natural regeneration of forests:A review

To approach the mechanisms of the barrier effect of litter layer on the natural regeneration of forests is of theoretical and practical significance in the scientific management of secondary forests and in adopting proper methods to improve the natural regeneration of target tree species.From the aspects of physical interdiction(physical factors),allelopathy(chemical factors),and animal invasion and microbial infection(biological factors),this paper discussed the barrier effect and mechanisms of litter layer on forest natural regeneration.It was suggested that further studies should be made on the structure of litter layers under different forest types,and the change patterns of photon density and red light/far-red light ratio under litter layer.
Determination of Trace Cadmium in Soaking Solution of Domestic Ceramics by Cold-vapor Generation-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Trace cadmium in soaking solution of domestic ceramics was determined by cold-vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometry.The factors affecting the determination,such as flow rate of carrier gas,concentration of NaBH4(sodium boron hydride),amount of sensitizer added,acidity and interference from coexisting ions were tested.The recovery of the method for Cd is in the range of 94.0%～104.9% with precision of less than 3.6%RSD(n=7).Compared to GF-AAS,the method provides the advantages of high sensitivity and accuracy,high efficiency,economy and practicality.The method has been used in the determination of trace cadmium in soaking solution of domestic ceramic with satisfactory results.
Where The Money Goes: The Evolving Expenses Of The US Health Care System

National health care expenditures constitute revenue to the health care system. However, little is known about how this revenue is distributed across sectors. This article calculates revenues and detailed expenditures for physicians’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers in 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012, using a range of Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics sources. Between 1997 and 2012, spending on these three sectors rose by $580 billion, and employment rose by 1.7 million people. Just under half of all 2012 revenues were spent on labor compensation. The labor compensation share of spending declined slightly; within these sectors, the share of compensation paid to physicians and nurses increased. Although employment of nonprofessional labor grew during the study period, this group did not account for much of the sector’s increased spending. The plurality of the 1997–2012 spending increase went to producers of purchased materials and services, which now account for more than one-third of ...
Modified ACO to maintain diversity in regression test optimization

Regression testing is unavoidable maintenance activity that is performed several times in software development life cycle. Optimization of regression test case is required to minimize the test case (which will in-turn reduce the time and cost of testing) and to find the fault in early testing activity. The two widely used regression test case optimization techniques, namely, selection and prioritization are recently found to be integrated with different metaheuristic algorithms for fruitful regression test cases. Among the various meta-heuristic algorithms, Ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is most popularly used. ACO will try to find the smallest path out all the test cases and it is not sufficient because it will not cover all the test cases which are needed. In this paper we have proposed a modified ant colony optimization to solve test cases in huge search space. The modified algorithm selects the best test cases that find the maximum fault in minimum time.
Incidence and Cost of Ankle Sprains in United States Emergency Departments.

Background:Ankle sprains represent a common injury in emergency departments, but little is known about common complications, procedures, and charges associated with ankle sprains in emergency departments.Hypothesis:There will be a higher incidence of ankle sprains among younger populations (≤25 years old) and in female patients. Complications and procedures will differ between ankle sprain types. Lateral ankle sprains will have lower health care charges relative to medial and high ankle sprains.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiological study.Level of Evidence:Level 3.Methods:A cross-sectional study of the 2010 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample was conducted. Outcomes such as charges, complications, and procedures were compared using propensity score matching between lateral and medial as well as lateral and high ankle sprains.Results:The sample contained 225,114 ankle sprains. Female patients sustained more lateral ankle sprains (57%). After propensity score adjustment, lateral sprains incurred greate...
Regulatory Conflict and Competitive Equality

Regulatory competition is an important part of US regulatory mythology, and, as suggested in Chapter 4, occasionally it works in practice as theory would predict, generating beneficial innovation and deregulation. Most players in US financial markets probably would concur that the deregulatory process that culminated in the approval of the Citicorp/Travelers combination represented regulatory competition at its best. Nevertheless, tributes to regulatory competition may overlook a troubling aspect of the competitive process that was mentioned in Chapter 4 but was not fully explored. Certainly, regulatory competition may encourage the innovation that is a hallmark of US financial markets. At the same time, however, regulatory competition does not necessarily result in equal regulatory treatment of competing financial players. To the contrary, in the short run, and perhaps even in the long run, regulatory competition may exacerbate inequities in the regulatory scheme.
Analysis of Native-Like Ions Using Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations

Ion mobility separation of native-like protein and protein complex ions expands the structural information available through native mass spectrometry analysis. Here, we implement Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) for the analysis of native-like ions. SLIM has been shown previously to operate with near lossless transmission of ions up to 3000 Da in mass. Here for the first time, SLIM was used to separate native-like protein and protein complex ions ranging in mass from 12 to 145 kDa. The resulting arrival-time distributions were monomodal and were used to determine collision cross section values that are within 3% of those determined from radio-frequency-confining drift cell measurements. These results are consistent with the retention of native-like ion structures throughout these experiments. The apparent resolving powers of native-like ions measured using SLIM are as high as 42, which is the highest value reported directly from experimental data for the native-like ion of a protein comple...
Are Nanoparticle Corners Round

Experimental results for corner rounding in nanoparticles as a function of size are reported. We find that the rounding is independent of size, which appears to violate the conditions for both the ...
Double-edge pulsewidth modulation for multidrop backplanes

Multilevel signaling, such as pulse amplitude modulation (4-PAM), has been actively surveyed in the band-limited channels with sharp frequency roll-off. Due to the longer symbol period, multilevel signalling requires a lower channel bandwidth and offers a better spectral efficiency. This paper discusses a different type of multilevel modulation — double-edge pulsewidth modulation (DPWM), which encodes symbols into time domain on both rising/falling transition edges. DPWM offers the same spectral efficiency achieved by 4-PAM and resolves the dynamic range constrain for 4-PAM in advanced CMOS technology. In this paper, we demonstrate the benefits of using DPWM in the multidrop bus backplanes which form the channels with sharp attenuation dips because of multiple impedance discontinuities.
Creational Aesthetics and the Challenge of Conceptual Art

A trend in theological aesthetics is to advocate for a “creational aesthetic” when discussing the ontology and calling of the artist. In its essential form, a creational aesthetic affirms that artists honor the Creator God by creating art. In some way artists are functioning as God’s image when they make art. While this view is popular in the Christian engagement of the arts, it is uncertain if such an observation is the preeminent way of understanding the role of the artist. Can one be considered an artist if s/he is removed from the tactile process of making? In the contemporary art world, the role of the artist in visual art has come into question with a stronger emphasis on conceptuality, over and against construction. In this article I argue for an alternate way of understanding creational aesthetics that makes room for conceptuality in art.
Perturbation of system dynamics and the covariance completion problem

We consider the problem of completing partially known sample statistics in a way that is consistent with underlying stochastically driven linear dynamics. Neither the statistics nor the dynamics are precisely known. Thus, our objective is to reconcile the two in a parsimonious manner. To this end, we formulate a convex optimization problem to match available covariance data while minimizing the energy required to adjust the dynamics by a suitable low-rank perturbation. The solution to the optimization problem provides information about critical directions that have maximal effect in bringing model and statistics in agreement.
Programmer exemption

On February 3, 1971 a hearing was conducted by the U. S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division to examine whether the various data processing occupations should or should not be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Among those testifying at the hearing was Walter M. Carlson (1), President of The Association for Computing Machinery. Carlson focused his discussion on programmers. In a later speech (2) Carlson challenged the Special Interest Group on Computer Personnel Research to conduct research which would provide better information for making the exempt/non-exempt decision for programmers. This report is one response to that challenge.
Challenging the Myth: Transvaginal Mesh is Not Associated with Carcinogenesis

Purpose: We sought to determine if there was a potential link between synthetic polypropylene mesh implantation for transvaginal pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, and carcinogenesis using statewide administrative data.Materials and Methods: Women who underwent transvaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence with mesh between January 2008 and December 2009 in New York State were identified using ICD-9-CM procedure codes and CPT-4 codes. Patients in the mesh cohort were individually matched to 2 control cohorts based on comorbidities and procedure date. Carcinogenesis was determined before and after matching at 1, 2 and 3 years, and during the entire followup time.Results: A total of 2,229 patients who underwent mesh based pelvic organ prolapse surgery and 10,401 who underwent sling surgery for stress urinary incontinence between January 2008 and December 2009 were included in the study. Mean followup was 6 years (range 5 to 7). Exact matching between the m...
APRN-Conducted Medication Reviews for Long-Stay Nursing Home Residents.

Abstract Objective As part of the Missouri Quality Initiative (MOQI) to reduce hospitalizations for long-stay nursing home residents, this article describes reasons MOQI advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) recommended medication order changes as part of their medication review process as well as the outcomes of their recommendations. Design Cross-sectional descriptive study of MOQI APRN-conducted medication reviews. Setting Long-stay nursing homes participating in the MOQI project. Participants Seventeen MOQI APRNs recorded medication reviews for 3314 long-stay residents residing in 16 Midwestern nursing homes over a 2-year period. Intervention APRNs conducted medication reviews and made recommendations for medication order changes to residents' medical providers. Measurements The MOQI medication review database was used to abstract data. Results There were 19,629 medication reviews recorded for 3314 residents during the 2-year period. Of the 19,629 reviews, 50% (n = 9841) resulted in recommended order changes of which 82% (n = 8037) of order changes occurred. More than two-thirds of recommendations were because of changes in the residents' plans of care. Other recommendations included adjusting and/or discontinuing medications that had the potential for harm. Conclusion Resident care needs are dynamic, resulting in the need for frequent medication order changes. MOQI APRNs, because of their advanced pharmacological education and daily presence in the nursing home, are uniquely positioned to ensure residents' medications aligned with their overall goals of care while minimizing risk of harm.
Design Education as an Inclusive Pedagogy

This paper summarizes an inclusive pedagogical experience from the perspectives of design educators and students. It is an overview of a new Collaborative Innovation Minor at an established design program at a major university and a narrative case study of a capstone course- Collaborative Design Development to discuss how non-design students were able to embrace unfamiliar content in cross-disciplinary environment. The author will discuss inclusive pedagogical framework of minor defined by three key design foundations: Design Intent and Opportunity, Conceptualization, and Implementation, each employing its own relevant tools, methodologies, and design approaches. This Collaborative Innovation Minor inspired cross campus participants to engage in design learning from a holistic, user-centered, and interdisciplinary approach.
Reynolds-averaged navier-stokes simulations for high-speed wigley hull in deep and shallow water

Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations and verification and validation studies for a high-speed Wigley hull in deep and shallow water are presented using CFD-SHIP-IOWA Version 4.00, which is a general-purpose ship hydrodynamics computational fluid dynamics code: single-phase level set free surface and k-w turbulence modeling; higher-order conservative discretization, embedded overset grids, advanced iterative solvers, and implicit coupling flow field and predicted motions numerical methods; and high-performance computing for message-passing interface (MPI)-based domain decomposition. The results are presented for low to high speed and deep to shallow water. The investigation is exploratory in nature using an idealized geometry and relatively coarse grids. Based on the verification and validation results, modifications for increased grid resolution at the bow for high speed and improved grid orthogonality for shallow water are made to obtain better solutions. The flow physics observations provide both integral and differential views of the high-speed and shallow-water flow fields, including resistance, pressure variation, wave pattern, boundary layer, and vortices.
Model-aided Remote Usability Evaluation.

In this paper we present a method for providing remote usability evaluation with the support of powerful task models able to describe concurrent and interactive activities. The method is tool-supported and it is able to analyse the logs of user actions performed during work sessions by using information contained in such task models. The overall goal is to provide useful information to usability evaluators with limited effort.
Spectral methods for testing cluster structure of graphs.

In the framework of graph property testing, we study the problem of determining if a graph admits a cluster structure. We say that a graph is $(k, \phi)$-clusterable if it can be partitioned into at most $k$ parts such that each part has conductance at least $\phi$. We present an algorithm that accepts all graphs that are $(2, \phi)$-clusterable with probability at least $\frac{2}3$ and rejects all graphs that are $\epsilon$-far from $(2, \phi^*)$-clusterable for $\phi^* \le \mu \phi^2 \epsilon^2$ with probability at least $\frac{2}3$ where $\mu > 0$ is a parameter that affects the query complexity. This improves upon the work of Czumaj, Peng, and Sohler by removing a $\log n$ factor from the denominator of the bound on $\phi^*$ for the case of $k=2$. Our work was concurrent with the work of Chiplunkar et al.\@ who achieved the same improvement for all values of $k$. Our approach for the case $k=2$ relies on the geometric structure of the eigenvectors of the graph Laplacian and results in an algorithm with query complexity $O(n^{1/2+O(1)\mu} \cdot \text{poly}(1/\epsilon, 1/\phi,\log n))$.
“She Doesn’t Have the Stamina”: Hillary Clinton and the Hysteria Diagnosis in the 2016 Presidential Election

AbstractReactions to Hillary Clinton’s bout with pneumonia during the 2016 presidential campaign revealed an effort to turn her health crisis into a sign of bad character, or what Johnson (2010) ca...
A Characterization of Semiglobal, Practical, Asymptotic Stability for Gain-Parametrized Systems

We consider a general class of nonlinear, constrained, discrete-time systems whose dynamics are parametrized by a set of gains. We define the semiglobal, practical, asymptotic stability (SPAS) of compact sets for this class of systems, and we provide a Lyapunov characterization of such sets. A set A that is SPAS with respect to a given system need not be an attractor for that system. Relative to existing characterizations of similar qualitative behaviors, our SPAS theorem does not require the existence of an asymptotically stable attractor associated to a nominal counterpart of the given dynamics.
Evaluating the influence of common antibiotics on the efficacy of a recombinant immunotoxin in tissue culture.

Recombinant immunotoxins (RITs) are antibody-toxin fusion proteins that can selectively eliminate populations of cells expressing specific surface receptors. They are in evaluation as therapeutic agents for cancer. RITs based on Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) are in use clinically for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, and under trial for the treatment of other cancers. In an effort to improve the efficacy of PE-based RITs, we evaluated the potential of combination therapy with several common antibiotics (tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, linezolid, fusidic acid, and kanamycin) on human cell lines HEK293, OVCAR8, and CA46. Antibiotics were selected based on their potential to inhibit mitochondrial protein synthesis and disrupt energy metabolism in cancer cells. Tetracycline, chloramphenicol, linezolid, and fusidic acid alone killed cultured human cells at high concentrations. At high but nontoxic concentrations of each antibiotic, only chloramphenicol treatment of the Burkitt’s lymphoma cell line CA46 showed enhanced cytotoxicity when paired with an anti-transferrin receptor/PE RIT. This result, however, could not be replicated in additional Burkitt’s lymphoma cell lines Ramos and Raji. Although the six antibiotics we tested are not promising candidates for RIT combination therapy, we suggest that fusidic acid could be considered independently as a potential cancer therapeutic.
Do the holidays impact weight and self-weighing behaviour among adults engaged in a behavioural weight loss intervention?

Abstract We examined the U.S. holiday period impact on weight gain, self-weighing, and treatment success among adults in a weight loss intervention (N = 171). Using electronic scales, body weight and self-weighing frequency were compared by time period [i.e., pre-holiday, holiday (November 15–January 1), post-holiday]. Self-weighing was less frequent during holiday period (p
Retrograde open mesenteric stenting should be considered as the initial approach to acute mesenteric ischemia.

Abstract Objective Retrograde open mesenteric stenting (ROMS) is an alternative to traditional bypass in patients who present with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). However, there is a paucity of data comparing outcomes of ROMS with other open surgical approaches. This study represents the largest single-institution experience with ROMS and aims to compare outcomes of ROMS with those of conventional mesenteric bypass. Methods All patients who presented with AMI from 2008 to 2019 and who were treated with either ROMS or mesenteric bypass were included in the study. Patient, procedure, and outcome variables were compared. Bypass and ROMS patients were compared using univariate statistics. Results A total of 34 patients who presented with AMI needing bypass were included in the study; 16 underwent mesenteric bypass, and 18 underwent ROMS. ROMS patients tended to be older than bypass patients and had higher rates of comorbidities. Bypass patients were more likely to have a history of chronic mesenteric symptoms (68.8% vs 27.8%; P = .019). Bypass procedures also took longer than ROMS procedures (302 vs 189 minutes; P Conclusions Complication, reintervention, and mortality rates after ROMS are similar to those of mesenteric bypass in the setting of AMI. Given similar postoperative outcomes and ability to perform these procedures in a conventional operating room but with significantly shorter operative times, ROMS should be considered a first-line option in acute situations when the operator is comfortable performing the procedure.
Combined electrostatic and air driven electrospinning for biomedical applications

Micro-to-nanoscale polymer fiber mats have shown promise across many fields of research, especially in biomedical applications. Electrospinning (ES) is one popular technique used to create high surface-area-to-volume polymer fiber mats. In this work, a portable electrospinning device that utilizes the combined capabilities of electrostatic and air driven technologies was developed for use in biomedical applications. Unlike existing portable electrospinning devices, the combined electrostatic and air driven (EStAD) system contains a completely enclosed electric field, allowing safe and predictable deposition onto flat as well as complex surfaces. Such features also prevent damage to electrospun materials during deposition. Here, biomedically relevant electrospun materials were made using the EStAD device to demonstrate feasibility as compared to a traditional table-top electrospinner that has produced such materials in the past. Results showed successful deposition and use of antibacterial and biomedically relevant nanoparticle release fiber bandages. The versatile nature of the EStAD device will allow the deposition of these materials safely and predictably on charged and uncharged surfaces that are flat or complex, further broadening the applications of ES and providing ease of access to nanomanufacturing of electrospun materials.Micro-to-nanoscale polymer fiber mats have shown promise across many fields of research, especially in biomedical applications. Electrospinning (ES) is one popular technique used to create high surface-area-to-volume polymer fiber mats. In this work, a portable electrospinning device that utilizes the combined capabilities of electrostatic and air driven technologies was developed for use in biomedical applications. Unlike existing portable electrospinning devices, the combined electrostatic and air driven (EStAD) system contains a completely enclosed electric field, allowing safe and predictable deposition onto flat as well as complex surfaces. Such features also prevent damage to electrospun materials during deposition. Here, biomedically relevant electrospun materials were made using the EStAD device to demonstrate feasibility as compared to a traditional table-top electrospinner that has produced such materials in the past. Results showed successful deposition and use of antibacterial and biomedically...
Divergent 2-Chloroquinazolin-4(3H)-one Rearrangement: Twisted-Cyclic Guanidine Formation or Ring-Fused N-Acylguanidines via a Domino Process.

A highly efficient 2-chloroquinazolin-4(3H)-one rearrangement was developed that predictably generates either twisted-cyclic or ring-fused guanidines in a single operation, depending on the presence of a primary versus secondary amine in the accompanying diamine reagent. Exclusive formation of twisted-cyclic guanidines results from pairing 2-chloroquinazolinones with secondary diamines. Use of primary amine-containing diamines permits a domino quinazolinone rearrangement/intramolecular cyclization, gated through (E)-twisted-cyclic guanidines, to afford ring-fused N-acylguanidines. This scalable, structurally tolerant transformation generated 55 guanidines and delivered twisted-cyclic guanidines with robust plasma stability and an abbreviated total synthesis of an antitumor ring-fused guanidine (4 steps, 55 % yield).
Infections With Cytomegalovirus in Adults and the Natural History and Treatment of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis

Cytomegalovirus infections occur in the majority of all populations examined and once acquired remain in a latent state throughout the lifespan of the individual infected. Immunosuppressed individuals, particularly transplant recipients have increased severity of primary infections due to this agent and not infrequently reactivate the latent infection. Disseminated infections occur with resultant mortality in patients with underlying diseases, especially bone marrow transplant recipients. Retinitis due to CMV has been reported in over 30 patients and occurs in immunosuppressed patients. Fourteen cases of retinitis were seen at one institution and seven were treated with systemically administered adenine arabinoside. A dosage of 20 mg/kg was associated with improvement in retinitis and a decrease in quantitative shedding of CMV in the urine. Improvement was observed in several cases following lowering of immunosuppression without antiviral therapy. Significant side effects, mainly hematologic and gastrointestinal were observed at the dosages required. Certain patients with progressive retinitis due to CMV may respond to therapy with adenine arabinoside, but require frequent monitoring for side effects before and after such treatments.