cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assembly sequence planning for constructing planar structures with rectangular modules

This paper addresses assembly sequence planning for constructing planar structures of the common brick wall pattern collectively with mobile modular robots that have the same rectangular footprint. Here we present a new algorithm for target structures with internal holes that our previous algorithm was not able to address. Our new algorithm constructs a feasible assembly sequence where robots do not have to pass through narrow corridors while approaching their target positions. The algorithm is provably correct and complete and runs in time that is linear in the size of a target structure, that is, the number of its parts. We also present software implementing our algorithms and a set of numerical experiments using the software. Finally, we extend our algorithms to address other symmetric patterns formed by a collection of congruent rectangles on the plane.
Occurrence of serum antisperm antibodies in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Objective To determine if acquired obstruction of the vas deferens in men with cystic fibrosis (CF) induced the development of antisperm antibodies with genital tract obstruction similar to other men. Design Serum antisperm antibodies were assayed by an indirect immunobead test and an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Both homologous (human sperm/human zona) and heterologous (human sperm/zona-free hamster ova) sperm/egg interactions were evaluated in the presence of serum antisperm antibodies from patients with CF. Setting Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, a tertiary care referral center. Patients Fifteen CF patients (10 male and 5 female), 3 non-CF antisperm antibody-positive infertile patients (2 male and 1 female), 20 fertile controls (7 males and 13 females), and 9 fertile sperm donors were used. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Serum antisperm antibody levels in patients with CF. In those patients with antisperm antibodies, determine effect of these sperm antibodies on sperm/egg interactions and complement-mediated events. Results Sera from 3 (30%) of 10 men with CF demonstrated immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA, and/or IgM antisperm antibodies, whereas sera from all 5 CF women and the 20 control sera were negative for antisperm antibodies. The maximal titers for IgG, IgA, and IgM antisperm antibody were 1:8,192, 1:256, and 1:64, respectively. The immunobead binding, which was restricted to the sperm head and tail-tip or the midpiece and tail-tip, correlated with the indirect immunofluorescence pattern. Antisperm antibody-positive sera from men with CF impaired both the binding and penetration of human zonae and the penetration of hamster ova by human sperm. Conclusions Similar to other men with congenital or acquired obstruction of their genital tract, antisperm antibodies may occur in some men with CF. Antisperm antibodies may contribute to immune sperm dysfunction in some men with CF by activated complement-mediated events and interfering with sperm/egg interactions.
Leadership programs and the hospital middle manager:Does program content align with desired goals?

Over half of hospitals recently surveyed indicated that they had implemented a leadership development program. The extant literature is not clear on how these programs are structured in terms of co...
Governing Principles of Multiprotein Complex Formation on the Cell Membranes: An Investigation using Single-Molecule Resolution Spatio-Temporal Stochastic Computer Simulations and Analytical Calculations

A significant number of the cellular protein interaction networks, such as receptor mediated signaling and vesicle trafficking pathways, includes reactions that involve membranes as a molecular assembly platform. Multiprotein membrane complex formation is an intricate interplay between the particular reaction network, cell size and shape, binding affinities of the proteins and lipid molecules and their concentrations. Mathematical models along with computer simulations provide insight into the dynamics of complex formation and help identify general principles that govern successful recruitment and assembly on membranes. However, sufficiently long and physically accurate simulations of protein assemblies are quite challenging. In this work, using a very efficient in-lab developed software, we have performed single-molecule scale stochastic simulations of protein interactions on the membranes. In addition, for simple reaction networks, assuming spatially well-mixed systems of fixed volume, approximate analytical formulas of equilibrium concentrations of membrane multiprotein complexes were derived as functions of system parameters such as reaction rates and cell geometry. Using these formulas, we have identified modes of membrane recruitment for protein assemblies that depend on molecular interaction affinities. Overall, our results suggest that proteins might have evolved into diverse reaction network structures to fine-tune the time to complete the assembly of membrane protein complexes in desired quantities. We discuss possible consequences of our findings on an elementary clathrin-dependent endocytic network as a case study.
Infrared cross-section measurements of the Er 3+ , Tm 3+ , and Ho 3+ ions in crystals

The most cost effective use of diode-laser-pump sources occurs in a regime in which the diodes are operated with a high-duty cycle factor. The design of diode-pumped, solid-state amplifier modules therefore requires a gain medium with a long storage time to obtain the maximum benefit from the diodes. Crystals doped with the rare earth ions Er3+, Tm3+, and Ho3+ satisfy this criterion of a long lifetime (>10 ms), although it is also necessary that a transition terminating on a high-lying (thermally depopulated) Stark level of the ground manifold exhibit an adequate emission cross section.
Five steps for success: How to deploy data science in your organizations

Abstract Data science has become popular over the past few years as companies have recognized the value of data, either in data products, or to optimize operations and to support decision making. This chapter discusses the strategies data scientists use to deploy data science in software development organizations based a field study at Microsoft.
Combined image-guided surgical navigation and ultrasound images for cranial surgeries

Real-time intraoperative ultrasound images were fused with the preoperative anatomic images (either CT or MRI) to assess intraoperative shifts of brain tissue. Preoperative localization with high resolution MRI or CT provides the detail needed for determining surgical trajectories. The shift of intracranial structures following dural opening is visualized with intraoperative ultrasound that is co-registered with preoperative images.
Ultralow Resistivity Ge:Sb heterostructures on Si Using Hydride Epitaxy of Deuterated Stibine and Trigermane.

The nonconventional deuterated stibine (SbD3) compound has been used for the first time in combination with trigermane (Ge3H8) to produce hyper-doped Ge-on-Si films with carrier concentrations n > 1020 cm–3 and record-low resistivities ρ = 1.8 × 10–4 Ω cm. The growth takes place on Ge and Ge1–xSix buffered Si(100) wafers at ultralow temperatures (∼330 °C) at which Sb diffusion is negligible, leading to extremely flat atomic profiles of the constituents. The Sb substitution in the Ge lattice is determined by RBS channeling and corroborated by high-resolution XRD, which also reveal a systematic increase in lattice constant vs concentration, as expected due to the incorporation of the larger Sb. High-resolution TEM illustrates defect-free monocrystalline structures with device-quality morphologies. The electrical characteristics of the samples are measured using Hall effect and resistivity measurements combined with contactless infrared ellipsometry and are found to be consistent with an extrapolation of the...
Calorimetric measurement of the first excited state lifetime in 7 Li

We report a calorimetric measurement of the lifetime of the first excited state in 7Li (478 keV). It is based on highresolution neutron spectroscopy of the 10B(n, α)7Li reaction in a 3 mg TiB2 crystal. The energy deposition of the 7Li recoil nucleus has been measured with an energy resolution of 5.5 keV FWHM using a superconducting transition-edge neutron spectrometer. The lifetime of the 478 keV excited state has been determined from the experimental Doppler broadening of the 2.31 MeV energy line to 10.5 keV. The broadening is modeled with the Doppler Shift Attenuation method to directly determine the energy distribution of the recoil nuclei. The life time has then been extracted by deriving the slow-down parameter for the 7Li ion in TiB 2 within the Lindhardt-Scharff-Schiott theory. The lifetime value found by this method was of 110 ± 23 fs, which is within 7% from the evaluated data found in the literature. We discuss the theory behind the lifetime calculations derived from the experiment.
A Stochastic Optimal Control Approach for Exploring Tradeoffs between Cost Savings and Battery Aging in Datacenter Demand Response

This brief paper optimizes power management for datacenters employing lithium-ion battery storage, with the specific goal of addressing the tradeoff between: 1) the cost saving achievable through the peak demand shaving and 2) the corresponding battery aging. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this tradeoff has never been addressed using physics-based models of battery performance and degradation combined with stochastic models of datacenter demand. We build: 1) a Markov chain model of datacenter power demand; 2) a second-order model of battery diffusion/reaction dynamics; and 3) a physics-based model of battery aging via solid electrolyte interphase growth. Together, these models enable the solution of the battery health-conscious demand response problem via stochastic dynamic programming (SDP). A penalty function is used for enforcing a datacenter “power cap” within this SDP problem. By varying this power cap, we traverse the Pareto tradeoff between the cost savings due to demand response and battery health degradation.
Anonymity, Autonomy, and the Collection of Personal Data: Measuring the Privacy Impact of Google's 2012 Privacy Policy Change

One of the most vexing problems in privacy policy is identifying consumer harm from unwanted observation; because it is highly subjective and is likely to vary greatly throughout the population, it doesn’t lend itself to easy measurement. Yet, these types of situations increasingly are the focal point of privacy policy discussions. The primary approach to attempt to quantify subjective harms has been to measure consumers’ willingness to exchange personal data for money in an experimental setting. This study takes a different tack, using field data to measure actual consumer response to a real-world reduction in the anonymity of online search. In March 2012, Google began to combine user information across platforms. To the extent that Google’s policy change reduced the anonymity associated with Google search, it may have reduced incentives to search sensitive or topics. Using a difference-in-difference estimator with top non-sensitive search terms as the control group, the results suggest that there was a small and short-term reduction in the Google Trends scores for sensitive search. There is no measured difference in reaction between high- and low-privacy demand states. Overall, the results indicate that any consumer welfare loss from Google’s policy change was small, and likely swamped by the demand-increasing impact of customization made possible from the cross-platform data sharing. That there is no measurable long-term substitution out of sensitive search may reflect the privacy advantages of searching for sensitive information on Google versus seeking the same information in an interpersonal setting. These findings suggest that privacy policy changes that are publicized should be treated like ordinary price changes — causing marginal consumers to exit and reducing consumer surplus for those who remain — not opportunities for regulatory intervention.
Women and Leadership in the United States: Are We Closing the Gender Gap?

Women in the United States are making historic progress in business leadership, with research linking women's leadership representation to positive outcomes. However, men still dominate US leadership, raising several key questions. Is the United States closing the leadership gender gap? What organizational barriers perpetuate the gap? What facilitates women's leadership? We synthesized and extended US literature to develop a multilevel organizational model of Barriers And Facilitators of Female Leader Empowerment, called the “BAFFLE” Female Leadership Model to highlight the baffling complexities and limited success in solving the US leadership gender gap. The review found that literature narrowly focuses on barriers and offers limited insights about how to facilitate female leader empowerment while simultaneously addressing systemic, entrenched organizational barriers. We also used the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index to provide global perspective on the US leadership gender gap. Finally...
Introduction of a mutator gene from Escherichiacoli K12 into Escherichiacoli C

Abstract The bacterial mutator gene ast-1 , which arose in E. coli A.T.C.C. #11887 and which was transferred by conjugation to E. coli K12, has been transferred from K12 to E. coli C and its expression in the latter strain observed. Mutation rates were elevated in E. coli C ast-1 up to 380-fold over those in control populations. Bacteriophage φX174 plated normally on the ast + controls, but gave rise to turbid plaques much reduced in size at an efficiency of plating of 0.4 when plated on E. coli C ast-1 . It was tentatively concluded that ast-induced mutations and/or interference with replicative processes in φX174 may be responsible for these observations.
A Transient Dopamine Signal Represents Avoidance Value and Causally Influences the Demand to Avoid

Abstract While an extensive literature supports the notion that mesocorticolimbic dopamine plays a role in negative reinforcement, recent evidence suggests that dopamine exclusively encodes the value of positive reinforcement. In the present study, we employed a behavioral economics approach to investigate whether dopamine plays a role in the valuation of negative reinforcement. Using rats as subjects, we first applied fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to determine that dopamine concentration decreases with the number of lever presses required to avoid electrical footshock (i.e. the economic price of avoidance). Analysis of the rate of decay of avoidance demand curves, which depict an inverse relationship between avoidance and increasing price, allows for inference of the worth an animal places on avoidance outcomes. Rapidly decaying demand curves indicate increased price sensitivity, or low worth placed on avoidance outcomes, while slow rates of decay indicate reduced price sensitivity, or greater worth placed on avoidance outcomes. We therefore used optogenetics to assess how inducing dopamine release causally modifies the demand to avoid electrical footshock in an economic setting. Increasing release at an avoidance predictive cue made animals more sensitive to price, consistent with a negative reward prediction error (i.e., the animal perceives they received a worse outcome than expected). Increasing release at avoidance made animals less sensitive to price, consistent with a positive reward prediction error (i.e., the animal perceives they received a better outcome than expected). These data demonstrate that transient dopamine release events represent the value of avoidance outcomes and can predictably modify the demand to avoid. Significance Statement Dopamine is thought to play a crucial role in reward learning and directing actions toward beneficial outcomes. While the avoidance of harmful stimuli is similarly pertinent to an organism’s survival, the role of dopamine in avoidance remains controversial. Using in vivo electrochemistry, we observed that dopamine concentration decreased when the effort (lever presses) required to avoid electrical footshock increased. We also found that increasing dopamine at an avoidance predictive cue decreased avoidance, consistent with a negative prediction error. In contrast, increasing release at successful avoidance increased avoidance, consistent with a positive prediction error. These data demonstrate that transient dopamine release events represent the value of avoidance outcomes and capably modify avoidance.
Corn Residue Removal Effects on Hydraulically Effective Macropores

ABSTRACTEnhanced understanding of biomass removal effects on soil quality could be achieved with greater knowledge of how corn residue removal and cover crops interact to affect surface pore structure. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn (Zea mays L.) residue removal on soil macropore characteristics and to assess the effectiveness of cover crops in mitigating the potential negative impacts of corn biomass removal on surface pore structure. Three different corn residue removal rates and the presence or absence of cover crops were evaluated in a no-till corn/soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation near Brookings, SD. Following eight years of residue removal high (HRR) and medium (MRR) rates of residue removal reduced water inflow into the soil surface compared to the low (LRR) residue removal treatment. The representative mean pore radius (λΔψ) for both rotation phases of LRR approached the same value (≈ 235 µm). However, nine months after corn residue removal the λΔψ for HRR in the soybean ...
Structural Flaws in the Ethics of Technology

We are confronted more and more with perplexing issues in the ethics of technology. This includes some obvious concerns such as issues in computer ethics and the ethics of biotechnology. However, the ethics of technology covers a wide variety of less obvious, but perhaps more troubling, concerns and issues that are coming at us in greater numbers at an increasingly rapid rate. As such, the ethics of technology is rapidly becoming the dominant ethical concern of our time. At the same time, the ethics of technology is very poorly understood and, due to structural flaws in how we approach it, we are left unable to adequately address some of the more pressing issues of today and the near future. This paper identifies some of these structural flaws, attempts a few solutions, and above all attempts to start a discussion on these problematic issues.
On the Role of ℓ ∞ in Approximation Theory

Given a family of finite-dimensional subspaces V n in C[0,1], it is important to develop an algorithm that to a given function f ∈ C[0,1] assigns an approximation P n f ∈ V n . This algorithm should be “ simple ” and “ good ”. That translates into P n being a continuous linear map from C[0,1] in V n such that ∥f − P n f∥ ≤ C dist(f, V n ) where the constant C does not depend on n. Using the principle of uniform boundedness it is easy to show that the above-mentioned conditions are equivalent to the existence of projections (linear, idempotent operators) P n from C[0,1] onto V n such that ∥P n∥ ≤ C.
Components of maze running in Drosophila pseudoobscura dn Drosophila persimilis.

Wild-type and mutant strains ofDrosophila pseudoobscura andD. persimilis were studied for the following maze running activities: frequency of maze completion, rate of progress through the maze, and geotaxis. It was found that these three components of maze behavior were affected to some extent by sex, strain, and species. The significance of these findings in assessing genotype-environment interactions inDrosophila maze studies is discussed.
Study of Intramolecular Dynamics of Highly Energised Small Molecules Using Laser Spectroscopic Techniques

Our research group at MIT is attempting to extract information about the structure and dynamics of small, gas phase molecules based on nontraditional experimental methods and statistical pattern recognition approaches to molecular spectra. The goal of one such study is to understand the fundamental excitation and decay mechanisms that govern intramolecular vibrational and electronic energy flow in small polyatomic molecules by studying triplet and / or singlet states of acetylene.1, 2, 3, 4 Another current study is focussed on the mechanisms of energy exchange between electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom, through the spectroscopic study of Rydberg states of diatomic molecules.5 In this paper our recent results and future plans for studies of triplet states of small polyatomic molecules will be reviewed and the other intramolecular dynamical studies will be mentioned briefly.
Cross Validation of Raindrop Size Distribution Retrievals from GPM Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar Using Ground-based Polarimetric Radar

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission Core Observatory satellite, carrying the first space borne dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) operating at Ku/Ka band, and the GPM microwave imager (GMI), was launched on 27 February 2014 [1]. The GPM satellite extend the observation range attained by Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) from tropics to most of the globe and provide accurate measurement of rainfall and snowfall. The observation of global precipitation plays an important role in improving the capabilities of weather, climate, and hydrological predictions.
Assessing the Effects of Motivative Augmentals, Pay-For-Performance, and Implicit Verbal Responding on Cooperation

Motivative augmentals are rules or statements that temporarily change the effectiveness of a consequence, similar to establishing operations for nonverbal consequences (Hayes, Barnes-Holmes, & Roche, 2001). Many communications by an organization's leadership may function as such and alter the function of stimuli in the workplace, which in turn may influence employee behaviors (Houmanfar & Rodrigues, Journal of Applied Radical Behavior Analysis, N1, 22–27, 2012). There is a lack of experimental research regarding this, however, particularly under different organizational pay systems (i.e., financial contingencies), which have been repeatedly shown to influence performance (e.g., Gupta & Shaw, Compensation and Benefits Review, 30(2), 26–32, 1998; Locke, Feren, McCaleb, Shaw, & Denny, 1980). The current study sought to compare the two by measuring the effect of motivational statements on individual versus cooperative responding under two different pay-for-performance contingencies in an organizational analogue. Stimuli for the motivational statements were selected utilizing an Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) with one group of participants, and these statements were then tested under piece-rate and profit-share conditions with a second group of participants in a counterbalanced reversal design. Results indicated that the financial contingencies had more of an effect on responding, but that motivational statements influenced behavior as well. In particular, motivational statements affected whether a participant chose to cooperate or behave individually more under financially neutral conditions (i.e., profit share) when there was no financial cost for doing so. As such, organizations can utilize memos or speeches to increase performance, but it is important for the content to align with financial contingencies in order to maximize performance.
Correct Symmetry Treatment for X + X Reactions Prevents Large Errors in Predicted Isotope Enrichment

Confusion over how to account for symmetry numbers when reactants are identical can cause significant errors in isotopic studies. An extraneous factor of 2 in the reaction symmetry number, as proposed in the literature, violates reaction equilibrium and causes huge enrichment errors in isotopic analysis. In actuality, no extra symmetry factor is needed with identical reactants.
Bird niches in human culture and why they matter.

People care about birds far more than they do about most forms of biodiversity. Birds share our sensory modalities, they are mostly diurnal, and their ability to fly makes them conspicuous and aesthetically attractive. Birds occur virtually everywhere we do, even in the center of the largest cities. They play prominent roles in religion, sports, arts, and conservation (1). Conservation strategies often focus on saving birds, even if there are more endangered but less popular taxa at risk. Arguably, the bipartisan support that led to the passage of the US Endangered Species Act arose at least partly from the desire to prevent the extinction of the national bird, the bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) (2). One of the most important books in the history of conservation derived much of its power by evoking a “silent spring” (3) devoid of bird song in a world contaminated by pesticides. In their PNAS article “Characterizing the cultural niches of North American birds,” Schuetz and Johnston (4) argue that there is an urgent need to understand what factors shape bird niches in human culture so that we can use this knowledge to advance conservation. Schuetz and Johnston (4), however, do not have an existing blueprint for measuring cultural niches. Scientists quantify ecological niches of birds by measuring traits such as their position along climatic gradients, diet, the sites where they forage, and the tactics used to catch prey (5). Cultural niches, on the other hand, require measuring human responses to birds, a process complicated by the difficulties of interviewing humans directly, the many different ways people respond to birds, and the large number of bird species involved. Even North America, one of the world’s least biodiverse regions, has about 671 regularly occurring bird species, each with its own cultural niche. Schuetz and Johnston’s (4) approach … [↵][1]1Email: srobinson{at}flmnh.ufl.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Activation of a Novel Death Pathway, Targeted Necrosis, by p53 Peptides to Circumvent Apoptotic Resistance in Prostate Cancer

Abstract : Virtually all chemotherapy agents, at clinically achievable concentrations, act by inducing cancer cell death via apoptosis, but cancer cells eventually become resistant to apoptosis-inducing therapeutic agents. Necrosis, with fewer mechanisms of resistance, might be exploited specifically against prostate cancer cells by induction of ?targeted necrosis?. Targeted necrosis has potential clinical utility, since its cell death mechanism retains the cancer cell specificity of apoptosis and bypasses apoptotic resistance by re-direction into necrosis. Previous studies found that p53p-Ant, a p53 C-terminal peptide fused at its C-terminus to the carrier peptide of antennapedia, induced rapid apoptosis via activation of the Fas/FADD/caspase-8 pathway. In these studies we found synergistic targeted necrosis in prostate cancer cells pre-incubated with paclitaxel, after treatment with p53p-Ant. Paclitaxel treatment alone induced transcription (RT-PCR) and translation (western blotting) of Fas ligand. Addition of dominant negative FADD enhanced necrosis by p53p-Ant, but repressed the synergistic activity with paclitaxel, suggesting the involvement of FAS/FADD pathway. Previous studies indicated that p53p-Ant activates the Fas receptor by flipping the receptor in the extracellular membrane making it available for activation by ligand. Therefore, pretreatment with paclitaxel may prime the cells by induction of Fas ligand so that subsequent exposure to p53p-Ant efficiently activates the Fas/FADD cell death pathway.
Design of Gas Permeation Systems

In Chapter 2 we stated that membranes can be considered to have four structural levels and that three additional organizational levels exist between the membrane itself and the final membrane process. The design at all of these levels must be aimed at the ultimate goal of providing a cost-effective, robust separation technique.
A High Gain Broadband Quasi-Yagi Dielectric Lens Antenna for 5G and Millimeter Wave Applications

A high gain wideband microstrip-fed Quasi-Yagi antenna is designed for 5G and millimeter-wave applications. The gain of the proposed Quasi-Yagi antenna is enhanced by a planer perforated dielectric lens resulting in (11-13) dBi realized gain over the frequency band from 28 to 38 GHz with a cross-polarization level better than -25 dB. Furthermore, the presented antenna has radiation and aperture efficiency better than 90% at 30 GHz. The proposed antenna is scaled for different millimeter frequencies and exhibits a competitive performance that makes it suitable for a wide range of mm-wave applications include imaging, high data-rate communication systems (5G backhaul) and automotive radars.
South Korea's Rise: Economic Development, Power, and Foreign Relations

South Korea's phenomenal rise has been studied extensively by political scientists and economists both in terms of its impact on democratisation and as a role model for economic development. Yet little attention has been devoted to exploring the nexus between economic development and foreign policy. In South Korea's Rise, Uk Heo and Terence Roehrig propose a new theoretical framework to illustrate how an increase in a country's economic prosperity can bring about change to its foreign policy, prompting greater involvement in the international system, the transition to democracy, an expanded set of interests and increased tools to pursue its foreign policy goals. As a rising middle power, analysis of South Korea's foreign policy is crucial to our understanding of the power structure and future relations in East Asia. This is essential reading for all students and scholars with an interest in Asia, foreign policy and global economics.
Without Diversity, There Is No Excellence:

Diversity is a critical theme in healthcare and in nursing. In the manuscript presented here, a discussion of how differences, including race, can interfere with nursing care and relationships overall is portrayed.
Thermo in the Time of COVID-19: Using Improvisation to Foster Discussion and Translating the Experience to Online Learning

This paper covers teaching a graduate thermodynamics class as a seminar and using improvisational activities to foster community and discussion. The paper includes the experience of piloting improvisational activities online to help foster community for an entirely virtual version of the thermodynamics seminar class. Improvisational activities were found to help foster discussion in a thermodynamics seminar class, and some of these improvisational activities can be translated online in ways that may help to foster connection and community across the curriculum including online.
Pediatric residency and sub-specialty training.

Pediatricians care for the physical, social, and emotional health of children from birth to young adulthood. They are trained to provide a gamut of service from preventive health maintenance to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. The impact of disease and dysfunction on the developing child is a major focus of care. As more children survive the neonatal period with physical disabilities, pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists, and rehabilitation specialists will be collaborating more intimately. Usually the referral process is general pediatricians to pediatric physiatrist or other specialist, but as disease complexity increases the pediatric physiatrist, physical therapist, or occupational therapist might uncover other needs requiring additional subspecialty attention. This article is an attempt to summarize information about the training of pediatricians and various pediatric subspecialists which should be of interest to rehabilitation specialists including occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists. The Graduate Medical Education Directory published yearly by the American Medical Association is an excellent reference for further detail, and was used for much of this mini-review [1]. More current information is available in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and American Board of Pediatrics websites [2,3]. Trainees entering accredited pediatric residencies in the United States must be graduates of a medical school that has been accredited by the Liaison Committee in Medical Education (LCME) in the US, by
Reading Time: the Sarnath Buddha and the Historical Significance of Donor Portraits in Early Medieval South Asia

How was time conceptualized and represented in Indian art? Through case studies re-examining a few canonical examples in Indian art, from Sarnath Buddha, to Udayagiri Varāha tableau, to Ajanta’s Ca...
Levels of outpatient prescribing for four major antibiotic classes and rates of septicemia hospitalization in adults in different US states

Abstract Background Rates of sepsis/septicemia hospitalization in the US have risen significantly during recent years, and antibiotic resistance and use may contribute to those rates through various mechanisms. Methods We used multivariable linear regression to relate state-specific rates of outpatient prescribing overall for fluoroquinolones, penicillins, macrolides, and cephalosporins between 2011-2012 to state-specific rates of hospitalization with septicemia (ICD-9 codes 038.xx present anywhere on discharge diagnosis) in each of the following age groups of adults: (18-49y, 50-64y, 65-74y, 75-84y, 85+y) reported to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) between 2011-2012, adjusting for additional covariates, and random effects associated with the ten US Health and Human Services (HHS) regions. Results Rates of penicillin prescribing were positively associated with septicemia hospitalization rates in the analyses for persons aged 50-64y, 65-74y, and 74-84y. Percent African Americans in a given age group was positively associated with septicemia hospitalization rates in the analyses for persons aged 75-84y and over 85y. Average minimal daily temperature was positively associated with septicemia hospitalization rates in the analyses for persons aged 18-49y, 50-64y, 75-84y and over 85y. Conclusions Our results suggest positive associations between the rates of prescribing for penicillins and the rates of sepsis hospitalization in US adults aged 50-84y. Further studies are needed to understand the potential effect of antibiotic replacement in the treatment of various syndromes, such as replacement of fluoroquinolones by other antibiotics, possibly penicillins following the recent US FDA guidelines on restriction of fluoroquinolone use, on the rates of sepsis hospitalization.
Impact of Communication Path Loss to Unmanned Aircraft Swarm Coherency

This work examines the impact of communicative path loss to the coherency of Unmanned Aircraft (UA) swarms within constrained, urban environments. Within swarm formations, UAs must remain close enough to communicate their position to other swarm constituents while maintaining sufficient separation to avoid collision. We analyze the tension between these two separation considerations, comparing different communication protocols and trajectory planning algorithms. With these considerations, we demonstrate the impact of increased swarm sizes on swarm coherence.
A weighted U statistic for association analyses considering genetic heterogeneity

Converging evidence suggests that common complex diseases with the same or similar clinical manifestations could have different underlying genetic etiologies. While current research interests have shifted toward uncovering rare variants and structural variations predisposing to human diseases, the impact of heterogeneity in genetic studies of complex diseases has been largely overlooked. Most of the existing statistical methods assume the disease under investigation has a homogeneous genetic effect and could, therefore, have low power if the disease undergoes heterogeneous pathophysiological and etiological processes. In this paper, we propose a heterogeneity-weighted U (HWU) method for association analyses considering genetic heterogeneity. HWU can be applied to various types of phenotypes (e.g., binary and continuous) and is computationally efficient for high-dimensional genetic data. Through simulations, we showed the advantage of HWU when the underlying genetic etiology of a disease was heterogeneous, as well as the robustness of HWU against different model assumptions (e.g., phenotype distributions). Using HWU, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of nicotine dependence from the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environments dataset. The genome-wide analysis of nearly one million genetic markers took 7h, identifying heterogeneous effects of two new genes (i.e., CYP3A5 and IKBKB) on nicotine dependence. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vascular Toxicity of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Peripheral Vascular and Coronary Artery Disease

Historically, most of the attention in terms of cardiovascular diseases among cancer patients has been directed towards cardiac dysfunction.
Structure and function of bacterial ribosomes: XII. Accumulation of 21 s particles by some cold-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli☆☆☆

Abstract A spontaneous spectinomycin resistant mutant strain Spc-49-1 which has been derived from Escherichia coli strain NO49 is unable to grow at 20 °C. The mutant is also defective in ribosome assembly at 20 °C. In Tryptone broth, at 20 °C, it is unable to synthesize either 30 s or 50 s subunits and accumulates two kinds of incomplete particles, 21s and “30 s” particles, which are related to 30 s and 50 s subunits, respectively. These particles have been shown to be converted to 30 s and 50 s subunits, respectively, after subsequent incubation at 42 °C. It appears that both 21 s and “30 s” particles are normal intermediates in biosynthesis of ribosomes or related to such intermediates. The 21 s particles labeled with radioactive amino acids were isolated and their protein composition was analyzed. The following proteins were found: P3b,c, P4a, P4b, P5, P9, P10a, P10b, P13 and P14. P8 and P12 were found in some preparations. Other proteins (P1, P2, P3, P4, P6, P7, P10, P11 and P15) were not present in significant amounts. All the proteins found in the 21 s particles are in the early part of the in vitro assembly map constructed previously using in vitro 30 s ribosomal reconstitution. It is concluded that the order of addition of proteins during in vivo 30 s assembly is similar or identical to the order of addition of proteins during in vitro reconstitution of 30 s subunits. The mutation in the strain Sp-49-1 responsible for the cold-sensitive and ribosome assembly defective phenotypes was characterized. Like other spc r loci, the altered locus, spc-49-1 , appears to map between aroE and str loci. The altered protein component was identified as the 30 s ribosomal protein P4, the protein studied previously in spectinomycin-resistant mutant. Possible mechanisms by which mutations affect ribosome assembly are discussed.
Establishing the connection between demographic and economic factors, and gender status in the Middle East: Debunking the perception of Islam's undue influence

Purpose – Multiple dimensions influencing women's status in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region – factoring in socio-demographic, economic, and political forces are discussed in this paper. Process of modernization has been complicated by a strong patriarchal culture, the overlap of religion and government, and the absence of a diversified economy along with presence of wealth producing oil resources. Religious ideology, cultural beliefs, and traditional principles, however, cannot be argued as the only reason for women's status lagging behind in these countries. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Six diverse MENA countries – Iran, Libya, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen – that differ from one another with respect to geography, economy, demographics, modernization characteristics and cultural history are examined for comparative reasons. Findings – Even though Islam is commonly portrayed as the main factor controlling women's lives and op...
Cromolyn blocks S100P activation of RAGE, reduces pancreatic cancer growth and invasion and enhances gemcitabine chemotherapy

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 4625 Background: Pancreatic cancer remains an oncological challenge with a 5-year survival rate below 5%. Current therapies are unsatisfactory and patient outcome is dismal such that new treatments are desperately needed. Previously, we found that S100P is over expressed in more than 90% of pancreatic cancer, is secreted by cancer cells, activates the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and plays a major role in tumor growth and invasion (Clinical. Can. Res.2005 Aug 1;11(15):5356-64). Recent publications suggested that the anti-allergic drug cromolyn might interact with S100 molecules. Therefore, in the current study we sought to examine the ability of cromolyn to bind with S100P and inhibit its interactions with RAGE and its effects on pancreatic cancer. Methods: A cromolyn drug affinity column was used to determine the interaction between S100P and cromolyn. The ability of cromolyn to interfere with the interaction of S100P with its receptor RAGE was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation studies. Cancer cell growth and invasion were analyzed with cells without endogenous S100P (Panc-1) and also cells with endogenous S100P (BxPc3 and Mpanc-96) in vitro and in vivo . In orthotopic tumor models, cromolyn (5mg/k.g.b.wt/daily by i.p.) was administered with and without gemcitabine (125mg/k.g.bt/twice a month) and tumor growth and invasion were monitored using bioluminescence imaging every week for six weeks. Results: S100P was retained by a cromolyn drug affinity column, indicating a direct interaction between these molecules. Cromolyn also blocked the interaction of S100P and RAGE in co-immunoprecipitation experiments. In vitro , cromolyn inhibited the growth and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells with endogenous S100P (BxPc3 and Mpanc-96), but not Panc-1 cells that lack endogenous S100P. In orthotopic tumor models, cromolyn treatment significantly reduced the growth and metastasis of tumors developed from S100P expressing cancer cells (BxPc3 and Mpanc-96) but not cancer cells lacking S100P (Panc-1). Cromolyn also enhanced the efficiency of gemcitabine and effects of the combination were greater than either drug alone. The combination resulted in a dramatic reduction in tumor growth (BxPc3 and Mpanc-96) and the almost complete absence of metastasis to liver and lung. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that cromolyn, through its ability to interfere with S100P activation of RAGE, inhibits pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis and increases the efficiency of chemotherapy. Thus, cromolyn treatments should be considered to enhance standard chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.
US state alcohol sales compared to survey data, 1993–2006

Aims Assess long-term trends of the correlation between alcohol sales data and survey data. Design Analyses of state alcohol consumption data from the US Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System based on sales, tax receipts or alcohol shipments. Cross-sectional, state annual estimates of alcohol-related measures for adults from the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System using telephone surveys. Setting United States. Participants State alcohol tax authorities, alcohol vendors, alcohol industry (sales data) and randomly selected adults aged >/= 18 years 1993-2006 (survey data). Measurements State-level per capita annual alcohol consumption estimates from sales data. Self-reported alcohol consumption, current drinking, heavy drinking, binge drinking and alcohol-impaired driving from surveys. Correlation coefficients were calculated using linear regression models. Findings State survey estimates of consumption accounted for a median of 22% to 32% of state sales data across years. Nevertheless, state consumption estimates from both sources were strongly correlated with annual r-values ranging from 0.55-0.71. State sales data had moderate-to-strong correlations with survey estimates of current drinking, heavy drinking and binge drinking (range of r-values across years: 0.57-0.65; 0.33-0.70 and 0.45-0.61, respectively), but a weaker correlation with alcohol-impaired driving (range of r-values: 0.24-0.56). There were no trends in the magnitude of correlation coefficients. Conclusions Although state surveys substantially underestimated alcohol consumption, the consistency of the strength of the association between sales consumption and survey data for most alcohol measures suggest both data sources continue to provide valuable information. These findings support and extend the distribution of consumption model and single distribution theory, suggesting that both sales and survey data are useful for monitoring population changes in alcohol use. Language: en
Climate Change and the Fate of Desert Springs

Springs are integral components of the unique web of life in desert ecosystems of the western United States. Many desert springs would not exist without local mountains to intercept and store water from rainfall and snowmelt, and many desert aquatic ecosystems would not exist without the springs, illustrating the connectivity between landscape processes (the realm of geoscientists) and ecosystem functioning (the realm of ecologists). On a human scale, early exploration, inhabitation, and survival in the arid and semiarid western United States would not have been feasible without springs. People living there today continue to value springs as dependable sources of water for irrigation, livestock, drinking, and recreational and economic uses (e.g., hot springs). Unfortunately, some desert springs may be less resistant to the effects of climate change than others. How can this resistance be quantified?
Relationship between pair-wise and MC/DC testing: Initial experimental results

While pair-wise testing has shown a high level of fault detection in many situations, it has not done so for testing logical expressions in software applications. The modified condition/decision coverage (MC/DC) approach was especially developed for testing logical expressions, but test generation according to this approach can be complicated and time-consuming. From a practical point of view, combining pair-wise and MC/DC testing would integrate the benefits of both approaches; however, this would require solving many research problems. As an initial step in this direction, our paper evaluates the level of MC/DC coverage for pair-wise test cases in different situations and compares this level to MC/DC coverage for random test cases. To confirm this, we conducted experimental testing of logical expressions of different sizes, complexities, and numbers of input variables. Our experimental results show that the pair-wise test cases had a higher level of MC/DC coverage compared to the random test cases, achieving more than 70% MC/DC coverage. This allows us to suggest pair-wise testing as a promising method to be used as the basis for MC/DC test generation.
Numerical Solution of Electromagnetic-Field Eddy-Current Problems in Linear and Nonlinear Metallic Structures: The RMS Phasor and Instantaneous Approaches as Potential Tools in Nondestructive Testing Applications

Two numerical analysis approaches for the determination of electromagnetic fields and induced eddy currents in nonmagnetic and magnetic metallic structures are presented. It is demonstrated how these techniques can best serve the purposes of nondestructive testing for material characterization etc. One method is based on instantaneous state-space or Crank-Nicolson discrete-time solution approaches, and is most suited for use with nonsinusoidal excitation wave forms and nonlinear materials. The other approach is based on a root mean square phasor concept and is best suited for sinusoidal excitation cases and linear nonmagnetic materials. Both methods are based on a magnetic vector potential formulation, and can be used in characterization of material conductivities and permeabilities. Results of application of the two methods to magnetic and nonmagnetic materials are reported.