cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Pinon-Pine — Old Ally or New Pest? Western Shoshone Indians vs. The Bureau of Land Management in Nevada

For a period of nearly fifteen years, spanning the entire decade of the 1960s, the Nevada office of the federal Bureau of Land Management pursued a land management policy that brought criticism from important segments of the state's Indian population. This policy involved the eradication of pinon-pine stands on wide areas of public land. Western Shoshones, who constitute the largest Indian group in the eastern half of the state, were among the most outspoken opponents of the policy. Embedded in the controversy were some very basic issues: treaty rights and land ownership; the ecological soundness of trying to replace trees with grasses; the effectiveness of the eradication process; and the moral or ethical rights of ecosystems as opposed to the monetary dictates of economic systems. As a result of the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and the regulations that required environmental impact assessment, the BLM eventually acknowledged Western Shoshones' concerns. They recognized their prior rights to pinonpine groves as a resource that constituted an "environmental amenity" whose value extended far beyond economic considerations that might otherwise be debatable. By 1974, 131
Analysis of Levitation Characteristics of Radial-type Superconducting Magnetic Bearings

In the design of a large-scale flywheel, load capacity and bearing constants (i.e. spring and damping constants) should be accurately calculated. In this resport, a newly developed analysis method for radial-type superconducting magnetic bearings (SMBs) composed of several couples of magnet rings and magnetic material spacers is described. The analysis method is based both on electromagnetic FEM of the magnetic field and the 2-dimensional Bean model for analysis of the magnetization of type-II superconductors. To odtain accurate magnetization hysteresis that reflects the complex magnetic fields, a superconductor is meshed into cells and then the electromagnetic force between the magnetic fields of magnets and the magnetization of the superconductor are calculated. Recently, computer programs which can calculate the axial load capacity of radial-type SMBs have been developed. Furthermore, programs which can calculate bearing constants are close to being completed. Calculated results on axial load capacity showed good agreement with the experimental results.
Pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in a patient with Lynch syndrome

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a mucin-producing epithelial neoplasm that carries a risk of progression to invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Lynch syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition caused by germline mutations in mismatch repair genes such as MSH2 that lead to microsatellite instability and increased risk of tumor formation. Although families with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, a clear connection between Lynch syndrome and IPMN has not been drawn. We present a report of a 58 year-old Caucasian woman with multiple cancers and a germline mutation of MSH2 consistent with Lynch syndrome. A screening abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a dilated main pancreatic duct and cystic ductular structure in the uncinate process that were consistent with IPMN of the main pancreatic duct on excision. Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction of the patient's pancreas specimen did not reveal microsatellite instability or mismatch repair gene loss of expression or function. Our findings may be explained by the fact that loss of mismatch repair function and microsatellite instability is a late event in neoplastic transformation. Given the relative rarity of main duct IPMN, its appearance in the setting of somatic MSH2 mutation suggests that IPMN may fit into the constellation of Lynch syndrome related malignancies.
Peace and War

In the preface to Paix et Guerre entre les nations Raymond Aron writes that: “Mon but est de comprendre la logique implicite des relations entre collectivites politiquement organisees.” As an effort to comprehend the implicit logic of state relations, Paix et Guerre is clearly one of the most ambitious works to appear in recent years. In terms of sheer scope, it has few—if indeed, any—serious competitors among general treatises on international relations. Moreover, in terms of substantive accomplishments, it is in many respects one of the most impressive works to appear in a long time. It is impressive if only because of the critical function it performs. Few theories of significance directly or indirectly relating to “l'institution belliqueuse” escape Aron's attention and criticism.1Paix et Guerre is impressive for the way in which it seeks to encompass and to organize the disparate materials making up the study of international relations and, in particular, for the manner in which it attempts to comprehend certain behavior— diplomatic-strategic action—from diverse points of view. It is equally impressive for its awareness that the progress of a discipline generally and the utility of comparative study particularly depend on drawing clear and precise distinctions and devising useful classifications. Finally, Paix et Guerre is impressive for the perceptiveness with which it analyzes contemporary international politics. Aron's chapters on the diplomacy and strategy of the nuclear age—“le monde fini”—form a model of political analysis. Not the least of its virtues is the modesty of the conclusions drawn and the disavowal of oracular pretensions. The same modesty characterizes Aron's theoretical endeavors. If a pervasive skepticism is applied to the theories of others, and particularly to “les grandes hypotheses,” Aron is almost as skeptical of his own efforts to lay bare “les conditions des choix historiques.” In large measure, Paix et Guerre is a sustained and often brilliant effort to demonstrate the limits of our present knowledge. That effort performs a much needed service.
New Economic Environment Influencing Audit

As the new economics has been with us, intellectual-driving productivity becoming the core factor of economic development. Great changes taking place in enterprises management. Financial accountancy system is changing gradually from manual mode to network automatic mode. Under the new economics environment there is a great influence on the traditional audit.
Mechanisms of the ‘Aid Curse’: Lessons from South Korea and Pakistan

AbstractRecently scholars have argued that, far from contributing to development, foreign aid hinders development. But in the 1960s the East Asian countries developed rapidly despite receiving large amounts of aid. To examine why aid seems to undermine development in some cases but not in others, we conduct a detailed comparison of the mechanisms of the ‘aid curse’ in South Korea and Pakistan. We show that South Korea saw astonishing levels of corruption, but this did not hinder its development; and Pakistan had a strong bureaucracy, which did not help it to grow. The key difference between the two countries was in the strength of their tax systems: foreign aid in the context of underdeveloped tax administration leads to increasing cycles of debt that undermine development. When foreign aid arrives in the context of commitment to strong taxation, a country can avoid the ‘aid curse.’
Reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting with and without cardiopulmonary bypass: determinants of perioperative morbidity and mortality.

ABSTRACT Background: This retrospective study evaluates peri-operative results of reoperative coronary artery bypassgrafting (CABG) with and without cardiopulmonarybypass (CPB).Methods: From January 1995 to March 1999 reopera-tive CABG was performed on 581 patients: 307 (52.84%)patients were operated upon on-CPB and 274 (47.16%)off-CPB. Median sternotomy was used in all patients on-CPB. Median sternotomy or alternative surgical approach-es were used in the off-CPB group. Data was retrospective-ly reviewed. To identify the variables independently relat-ed to perioperative mortality and adverse outcome, multi-variate analysis was performed in the overall populationof 581 patients.Results: Preoperative risk factors were comparable inthe two groups. Critical lesions of the right and left cir-cumflex coronary artery were more common in the on-CPB group (p < 0.005). A total of 2.7 grafts/patient wasperformed in the on-CPB group versus 1.3 grafts/patient inthe off-CPB group (p = NS). Freedom from postoperativecomplications was higher in the off-CPB group (72% ver-sus 90.9%, p < 0.005). Perioperative stroke and respiratoryfailure rates were more common in the on-CPB group(3.9% versus 0.7% and 5.9% versus 2.2% respectively, p <0.005). Actual mortality was 5.9% in the on-CPB groupand 3.6% in the off-CPB group (p = NS). Risk adjustedmortality was 2.2% and 1.3% in the on-CPB and off-CPBgroups respectively. Although CPB was found to be inde-pendently related to adverse outcome (odds ratio (OR) =2.89, p-value < 0.005), no correlation was found betweenmortality and CPB.Conclusions: Avoidance of CPB independently reducesadverse outcomes in reoperative CABG without affectingmortality rate.
Abstract 247: Trends In The Use Of DNR Orders And Timing Of Writing Orders In Patients Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Aims: Several factors have led to an increase in the use of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders over the past decade, including the Patient Self-Determination Act, general increasing awareness of end-of-life decision making, and aging of the U.S. population. Although the characteristics of patients with DNR orders have been studied in the past, trends in the frequency and timing of DNR orders have not received much attention. The objectives of this population-based study were to examine recent (2001-2007) trends in the writing and timing of DNR orders in residents of a large central New England community hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Data are from the Worcester Heart Attack Study, an ongoing longitudinal study examining long-term trends in the incidence, hospital, and post-discharge case fatality rates of AMI among residents of the Worcester (MA) metropolitan area. Clinical, demographic, and medical history data, including the use and timing (prior to hospitalization vs. during hospitalization) of DNR orders, were abstracted from the medical records of patients with confirmed AMI treated at all 11 medical centers in greater Worcester during the years under study. Results: Approximately 25% (1,052 of 4,180) of patients hospitalized for AMI had a DNR order noted in their medical record. In both crude and multivariable adjusted analyses, there were no significant changes in the odds of having a DNR order written between 2001 (ref year) and 2007 (OR=1.17; 95% CI: 0.89-1.54). During this period, however, of patients who had a written DNR order, an increasing proportion had the DNR order prior to being admitted to the hospital (8.6% [25 of 292] in 2001; 54.8% [132 of 241] in 2007). In multivariable adjusted models, increasing age (≥ 85 years, OR=14.30; 95%CI10.00-20.45), history of heart failure (OR=1.67; 1.34-2.08) or stroke (OR=1.71; 1.33-2.20), and in-hospital death (OR=9.23; 6.74-12.63) were associated with having a DNR order. Only increasing age (>=85 years; OR=2.31, 1.05-5.09) and history of heart failure (OR=1.58; 1.16-2.15) were associated with having a DNR order in place prior to hospitalization. Conclusions: The results of this community-wide study of greater Worcester residents hospitalized with AMI between 2001 and 2007 suggest that the overall use of DNR orders remained stable over this period. The timing of the writing of orders changed during this period, however, with a strong trend toward DNR orders being written prior to hospitalization for AMI. We found that this increasing proportion of DNR orders written prior to admission to the hospital was largely due to advanced age and complex medical history, which may indicate that a higher number of contacts with the medical system may increase the likelihood of having a DNR order. The changing landscape of the timing of writing DNR orders for individuals with heart disease, and the factors that result in early versus later writing of orders, deserves further investigation.
MO-DE-204-01: Radiation Doses in Over 50 Developing Countries of Asia, Africa, Eastern European and Latin America

The main topic of the session is to show how dose optimization is being implemented in various regions of the world, including Europe, Australia, North America and other regions. A multi-national study conducted under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) across more than 50 less resourced countries gave insight into patient radiation doses and safety practices in CT, mammography, radiography and interventional procedures, both for children and adults. An important outcome was the capability development on dose assessment and management. An overview of recent European projects related to CT radiation dose and optimization both to adults and children will be presented. Existing data on DRLs together with a European methodology proposed on establishing and using DRLs for paediatric radiodiagnostic imaging and interventional radiology practices will be shown. Compared with much of Europe at least, many Australian imaging practices are relatively new to the task of diagnostic imaging dose optimisation. In 2008 the Australian Government prescribed a requirement to periodically compare patient radiation doses with diagnostic reference levels (DRLs), where DRLs have been established. Until recently, Australia had only established DRLs for computed tomography (CT). Regardless, both professional society and individual efforts to improved data collection and develop optimisation strategies across a range of modalities continues. Progress in this field, principally with respect to CT and interventional fluoroscopy will be presented. In the US, dose reduction and optimization efforts for computed tomography have been promoted and mandated by several organizations and accrediting entities. This presentation will cover the general motivation, implementation, and implications of such efforts. Learning Objectives: 1.Understand importance of the dose optimization in Diagnostic Radiology. 2.See how this goal is achieved in different regions of the World. 3.Learn about the global trend in the dose optimization and future prospectives. M. Rehani, The work was a part of the work of IAEA where I was an employee and IAEA is a United Nations organization
ACIP Releases 2016 Childhood Immunization Recommendations.

Each year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviews and updates the childhood immunization schedule to incorporate any published updates or corrections from the previous year. New recommendations incorporated into the schedule include meningococcal B and nonavalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
Beneficial Insect Attraction to Milkweeds (Asclepias speciosa, Asclepias fascicularis) in Washington State, USA

Native plant and beneficial insect associations are relatively unstudied yet are important in native habitat restoration programs for improving and sustaining conservation biological control of arthropod pests in agricultural crops. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) are currently the focus of restoration programs in the USA aimed at reversing a decline in populations of the milkweed-dependent monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus); however, little is known of the benefits of these plants to other beneficial insects. Beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, pollinators) attracted to two milkweed species (Asclepias speciosa, Asclepias fascicularis) in central Washington State, WA, USA were identified and counted on transparent sticky traps attached to blooms over five seasons. Combining all categories of beneficial insects, means of 128 and 126 insects per trap were recorded for A. speciosa and A. fascicularis, respectively. Predatory and parasitic flies dominated trap catches for A. speciosa while parasitic wasps were the most commonly trapped beneficial insects on A. fascicularis. Bees were trapped commonly on both species, especially A. speciosa with native bees trapped in significantly greater numbers than honey bees. Beneficial insect attraction to A. speciosa and A. fascicularis was substantial. Therefore, these plants are ideal candidates for habitat restoration, intended to enhance conservation biological control, and for pollinator conservation. In central Washington, milkweed restoration programs for enhancement of D. plexippus populations should also provide benefits for pest suppression and pollinator conservation.
Multidimensional Profiling of Task Stress States for Human Factors A Brief Review

Objective:This article advocates multidimensional assessment of task stress in human factors and reviews the use of the Dundee Stress State Questionnaire (DSSQ) for evaluation of systems and operators.Background:Contemporary stress research has progressed from an exclusive focus on environmental stressors to transactional perspectives on the stress process. Performance impacts of stress reflect the operator’s dynamic attempts to understand and cope with task demands. Multidimensional stress assessments are necessary to gauge the different forms of system-operator interaction.Method:This review discusses the theoretical and practical use of the DSSQ in evaluating multidimensional patterns of stress response. It presents psychometric evidence for the multidimensional perspective and illustrative profiles of subjective state response to task stressors and environments. Evidence is also presented on stress state correlations with related variables, including personality, stress process measures, psychophysiol...
Effectiveness Trials in Bipolar Disorders

As clinicians who treat patients who have bipolar disorder, we make decisions along with our patients everyday about treatment: which treatment to prescribe? When to start? When to stop? When to change? When to persist? While we like to think that we base our decisions on evidence, the literature usually fails to guide us. Why? The majority of randomized clinical trials are efficacy trials that ask questions not relevant to clinical practice. Efficacy trials ask the question, “Will this intervention change the outcome of interest more than placebo?” This is not the question that we ask as clinicians. Instead, we want to know if a treatment will help relieve the suffering of our patients, which treatment to use, and how long to use it for. In contrast to efficacy trials, effectiveness trials ask the question, “How does this intervention work in the actual clinical practice?” We address this issue in this chapter.
A new deformable mirror architecture for coronagraphic instrumentation

Coronagraphs are a promising solution for the next generation of exoplanet imaging instrumentation. While a coronagraph can have very good contrast and inner working angle performance, it is highly sensitive to optical aberrations. This necessitates a wavefront control system to correct aberrations within the telescope. The wavefront requirements and desired search area in a deformable mirror (DM) demand control of the electric field out to relatively high spatial frequencies. Conventional wisdom leads us to high stroke, high actuator density DMs that are capable of reaching these spatial frequencies on a single surface. Here we model a different architecture, where nearly every optical surface, powered or unpowered, is a controllable element. Rather than relying on one or two controllable surfaces for the success of the entire instrument the modeled instrument consists of a series of lower actuator count deformable mirrors to achieve the same result by leveraging the conjugate planes that exist in a coronagraphic instrument. To make such an instrument concept effective the imaging optics themselves must become precision deformable elements, akin to the deformable secondary mirrors at major telescope facilities. Such a DM does not exist commercially; all current DMs, while not necessarily incapable of carrying optical power, are manufactured with flat nominal surfaces. This simplifies control and manufacturing, but complicates their integration into an optical system because there is oftentimes a need to pack several into collimated space. Furthermore, high actuator count DMs cannot approximate low order shapes such as focus or tip-tilt without significant mid-spatial frequency residuals, which is not acceptable for a coronagraphic high-contrast imager. The ability to integrate the wavefront control system into the nominal coronagraphic optical train simplifies packaging, reduces cost and complexity, and increases optical throughput of any coronagraphic instrument. This adds redundancy, increases controllability of the complex aberrations, and mitigates both cost and risk associated with a single high-actuator count device that the entire instrument performance relies on. Here we simulate an optical system with a combination of controllable imaging optics both with and without a high order DM at the pupil. This example instrument is based loosely on the current DM technology being considered for the WFIRST CGI, and is merely an example of a larger trade study to be done to optimally balance actuator requirements, controllability, and wavefront quality. The relative performance of each configuration with regard to contrast, achievable bandwidth, and redundancy is discussed. The overall performance enhancements and risk associated with actuator failures on the assumed DM technology is also evaluated.
Ambulatory Electrocardiographic Monitoring

Heart rate and rhythm, even in clinically normal subjects, can exhibit a wide range of daily variability as the body responds to changes in physical exertion, emotional state, and neurohumoral tone. Obviously, a standard electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the electrical activity of the heart during the course of several seconds with the subject at rest, provides limited information regarding the response of the heart to daily activity. However, the development of methods for the continuous recording and analysis of the ECG over prolonged periods of ambulatory activity can provide physiologic insight into cardiovascular responsiveness (Kligfield, 1984).
Self-as-object and self-as-subject in the workplace

Abstract Drawing on James’s (1890) age-old distinction between the “Me-self” and the “I-self,” we discuss the implications of two self-processes (self-as-object and self-as-subject, respectively) for organizational behavior. The self-as-object is primarily concerned with thinking about oneself in valued ways, whereas the self-as-subject is primarily concerned with behavioral self-regulation. Using two prominent self-theories (self-affirmation, a self-as-object framework) and ego depletion theory (a self-as-subject perspective), we first show how results across disparate literatures in organizational behavior may be accounted for by common underlying mechanisms, and the advances that emerge from recognizing this convergence. We then consider a variety of ways in which insights into organizational behavior may be gleaned from examining the self-as-object and self-as-subject conjointly. Processes associated with the self-as-object and self-as-subject combine interactively to influence employees’ attitudes and behavior, and they also influence one another. Furthermore, considering the two self-processes in tandem shows how: (1) effects that appear to be similar differ meaningfully in the mechanisms accounting for them, and (2) seemingly discrepant results may be reconciled. Our analysis demonstrates that the two self-processes have implications for many literatures in organizational behavior including motivation, organizational change, ethics, justice, escalation of commitment, social identity, control, and power. Suggestions for future research and managerial implications also are provided.
Piracy, public access, and preservation: an exploration of sustainable accessibility in a public torrent index

The present study explores the feasibility of using torrent networks as potential repositories for popular cultural materials and historical primary source data. Members of the Pirate Parties International have claimed that torrent networks function in this manner, even potentially as replacements for public libraries. The Pirate Bay, the world's most popular public index for tracking and downloading torrents is conceived as a potential repository. Using an open-sourced dataset based on Karel Bilek's 2012--2013 snapshot of The Pirate Bay, metadata from 2.1 million torrents are categorized by media type and the robustness of given torrents was assessed. Trends over time for features of each media type, such as number of uploads, size, and volume were also assessed. The study finds that, in fact, relatively few torrents exhibit long-term survivability, even though the overall volume of torrents in the index shows continuous increase.
Developing the critical intercultural class-space: theoretical implications and pragmatic applications of critical intercultural communication pedagogy

AbstractTeaching intercultural communication presents pedagogical challenges due to the breadth and depth of the discipline and its recent critical turn. Teaching it with a social justice mission, and guiding students to understand critical and postcolonial approaches to its practice, requires complex and multifaceted approaches so as not to oppress or misrepresent marginalised populations. This essay addresses critical intercultural communication pedagogy as a shared system of knowledge among teachers and students, all participants in the cyclical process of learning. Critical intercultural communication pedagogy is presented from a Freirean perspective, as shared ownership of knowledge, including didactic, experiential and reflexive approaches to learning, with educational outcomes that include empathy, connection and ethical responsibilities towards social justice globally and locally. First, several definitions and theoretical perspectives are traced. Next, three short case studies of critical intercu...
Metabolism studies with liver homogenate, hepatocyte suspension and perfused liver.

Abstract Isolated hepatocytes and perfused livers can furnish important data linking enzymological information obtained with homogenates and subcellular fractions to liver biotransformation in vivo. To obtain meaningful data with these systems, mode of delivery of xenobiotic substrates to intracellular enzymes must be understood. Because of the varying degrees to which non-ionic lipid-soluble xenobiotics bind to intra- and extracellular proteins, the composition of media for hepatocyte suspensions and liver perfusion is an important determinant of intracellular xenobiotic concentration and hence its metabolism. Metabolic sequestration of xenobiotics along the hepatic sinusoid produces a gradient of xenobiotic exposure across the lobule. When the transfer of xenobiotics between the hepatic circulation and hepatocytes is rapid, nearly all influent dose is absorbed by periportal hepatocytes and undergoes chromatographic translobular migration. Such translobular pattern of exposure must be defined for each xenobiotic because different regions of the hepatic lobule are metabolically unique. Recent efforts to understand the significance of intralobular heterogeneity include fractionation of the heterogeneous hepatocyte population, enzyme analysis following region-specific damage, and perfusion analyses.
Apolipoprotein E ε 4 allele was associated with dementia and stroke

Source Citation Slooter AJ, Tang MX, van Duijn CM, et al. Apolipoprotein E e 4 and the risk of dementia with stroke. A population-based investigation. JAMA. 1997 Mar 12;277:818-21.
Hearing Voices: The Experience of Associate Degree Nursing Students to an Auditory Hallucinations Simulation

Background: Associate degree nursing students (ADNS) have limited exposure to persons experiencing the full range of alterations in cognition of psychiatric illness during their psychiatric mental health nursing rotation. Objective: This qualitative study examines the experience reported by second semester ADNS after completing an auditory hallucinations simulation in the nursing skills and simulation lab at a community college in the mid-Atlantic. Design: The study was reviewed and approved by the college Institutional Review Board. Guided by Grounded Theory, investigators analyzed the data from written reflective debriefing reports of the simulation in which students, working in pairs, one as the patient wearing headphones while listening to a streaming of auditory hallucinations, and the other as the nurse conducting a psychiatric nursing assessment of the patient. Students consented to have their written reports included in the study. Responses were reviewed for conceptual and thematic content using the constant comparative analysis method of Corbin and Strauss. Results: Concepts identified included fear, distraction, frustration, empathy, patience, and understanding. Themes included attitude changes from skepticism about auditory hallucinations to acceptance of symptoms, therapeutic use of self, and keeping patient safe. Conclusions: The auditory hallucinations assignment gives nursing students the opportunity to learn from a brief simulation experience about psychotic symptoms and assists in attaining knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) necessary for planning and providing care to patients with serious mental illness.
A Comparison of Flooding Models for Air-Water and Steam-Water Flow

A number of models have been proposed over the years for flooding, or countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL), for gas-liquid flow. These may be roughly classified as surface wave stability theories, static equilibrium theories, envelope or limiting operating condition theories, and semi-empirical correlations. The scatter of the data is rather large, partly because of the different definitions of flooding which have been employed, and partly because of the strong influence of the entrance and exit conditions. Some progress has been made recently in distinguishing between various critical conditions and locations for flooding; these effects tend to distinguish steam-water flooding from air-water flooding. The various theories are reviewed briefly and comparisons made with representative data. Directions for future research are indicated.
Hyperspectral Measures for Spectral Characterization

A hyperspectral image can be considered as an image cube where the third dimension is represented by hundreds of contiguous spectral bands. As a result, a hyperspectral pixel is actually a column vector with dimensions equal to the number of spectral bands. Such between-band spectral information is very useful and can be used for spectral characterization. Many measures proposed in signal processing and pattern recognition can be used for this purpose. Nevertheless, most of them are spatial-based measures, and they are not particularly designed to measure spectral properties inherent in a single pixel vector. In this chapter, two new hyperspectral measures, spectral information measure (SIM) (Chang, 2000) and hidden Markov model (HMM)-based spectral measure (Du and Chang, 2001) are presented, both of which are derived from the Kullback-Leibler information distance to capture the spectral variability of a pixel vector. Additionally, spectral information divergence (SID), relative spectral discriminatory probability, relative spectral discriminatory power and relative spectral discriminatory entropy are also introduced to further account for spectral similarity and discrminability among pixel vectors.
Optimizing the flow adjustment of constituent concentrations via LOESS for trend analysis.

Trend analysis of stream constituent concentrations requires adjustment for exogenous variables like discharge because concentrations often have variable relations with flow. To remove the influence of flow on stream water quality data, an accurate characterization of the relationship between the constituent and streamflow is needed. One popular method, locally weighted regression (LOESS), provides an effective means for flow-adjusting concentrations. The LOESS fit can be tailored to the data via the smoothing parameter (f), so that the user can avoid overfitting or oversmoothing the data. However, it is a common practice to use a single f value when flow-adjusting water quality data for trend analysis. This study provides a robust, automated method for determining the optimal f value (fopt) for each dataset via an iterative K-fold cross-validation procedure that minimizes prediction error in LOESS. The method is developed by analyzing datasets of seven different constituents across 17 sites (119 datasets total) from a stream monitoring program in northwest Arkansas (USA). We recommend using 10 iterations of 10-fold cross-validation (10 × 10 CV) in order to select fopt when flow-adjusting water quality data with LOESS. The use of a default f value did not produce different trend interpretations for the data used here; however, the proposed approach may be helpful in other water quality studies which employ similar statistical fitting methods. Additionally, we provide an implementation of the method in the R statistical computing environment.
How Married Couples Make Charitable Giving Decisions

This research note reports the results of interviews with 29 married couples about how they make charitable giving decisions. Most couples in the sample made decisions about donating small amounts ...
Modelling of cutting force on a viscoelastic body for surgical simulation

This paper presents the development of a closed form solution of stress distribution in a linear viscoelastic half-space subjected to distributive surface forces. The purpose is to analyze the cutting efficiency based on stress fields under different cutting parameters, such as cutting angle or blade sharpness, and to provide a guideline for practical applications. In developing the model, the body is assumed as a linear viscoelastic, isotropic and homogenous half-space. The interaction between the blade and the body is modeled as distributive forces acting on a rectangular area on the free surface of the half-space. To model the linear viscoelasticity, Burgers model is used to describe the stress relaxation behaviors. A trapezoidal force profile is applied in the intersection of the blade. The solution is developed in two steps: First, by applying the elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle, we obtain the viscoelastic solution with a point load from the elastic case. Second, a surface-integration of the solution over the contacting area is performed to obtain the stress distribution under distributive forces. The result serves as a mathematical model to simulate the stress distribution during biomaterial cutting and can be used in many practices such as surgical simulations and trainings.
Molecular Biology and Genetics

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by distinctive morphologic, cytogenetic, and molecular genetic features, some of which have important clinical implications for both diagnosis and predicting response to specific treatment regimens, while the role of others is yet to be defined. This chapter will describe the cytogenetic and molecular aberrations in ALL.
Smartphone capture of flexible laryngoscopy: Optics, subsite visualization, and patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a smartphone adaptor can record laryngoscopic videos of adequate quality for clinical diagnosis and communication among otolaryngologists and assess the impact of recorded exams on patient satisfaction. METHODS Twenty adult inpatients undergoing flexible laryngoscopy in a tertiary care medical center were prospectively enrolled. Each subject's larynx was visualized with the standard laryngoscope eyepiece and with an attached mobile phone adaptor with video recording capabilities. A 5-point Likert scale was used by the resident performing the scope to grade the adaptor and eyepiece exams. The same scale was used by an offsite otolaryngology attending to grade the adaptor video. Patients were shown the video, and a satisfaction survey was administered. RESULTS In all patients, the adaptor was easy to use and required minimal setup. Ninety percent of patients reported an increase in satisfaction after watching the video of their exam. The eyepiece was superior to the adaptor in resolution, focus, color fidelity, brightness, and optical fluidity (P < 0.05). The video recording was deemed sufficient for clinical assessment in 90% of cases. The offsite reviewer determined that there would be "little" (15%) or "no value" (65%) in repeating the scope exam in the majority of patients. The laryngeal subsites were equally visible with the eyepiece and the adaptor ("full view," 85%-100%). CONCLUSION Laryngoscopy videos recorded by a portable smartphone adaptor are sufficient for clinical evaluation in the majority of cases. This technology may improve patient satisfaction and communication among clinicians. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 129:2147-2152, 2019.
10 Anesthesia for Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery

Studies have shown significant positive outcomes of bariatric surgery, including resolution of commonly associated comorbidities such as diabetes and dyslipidemia. Bariatric surgeons should be aware of the significant challenges anesthesiologists face when caring for the obese patient, particularly during minimally invasive laparoscopic bariatric surgery. This chapter reviews the anesthetic concerns regarding and perioperative adaptations for the bariatric patient.
Pressure-Induced Phase Transition in 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB)

Determining the unreacted equation of state of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) is challenging because it exhibits low crystal symmetry and low X-ray scattering strength. Here, we present the first high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXD) study of this material. Our SXD results reveal a previously unknown transition to a monoclinic phase above 4 GPa. No abrupt change of the volume occurs but the compressibility changes. Concomitant first principles evolutionary crystal structure prediction USPEX calculations confirm this transition and show that it involves a pressure-induced in-plane shift of the layers of TATB molecules with respect to the ambient-pressure phase.
The Current State of Topical Burn Treatments: a Review

The purpose of this review is to discuss commonly used dressings for burn treatments, including short-acting topicals and long-acting silver dressings. Recent literature supports the use of long-acting silver dressings over traditional daily use topical treatments. Longer acting topical dressings result in less frequent dressing changes, less pain, and greater ease of use, but have similar results in wound healing and infection prevention. There are many topical agents on the market for use on burn wounds. Short-acting topicals can be divided into 3 generalized classes: antiseptics, antimicrobials, and enzymatic debridement agents. Longer acting applied dressings include silver-bonded nylon and fiber (Silverlon® Argentum, Clarendon Hills, IL); multilayer rayon, polyester silver-coated mesh polyethylene (Acticoat™ Smith & Nephew London, UK); silver sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Aquacel® Ag, ConvaTec, Greensboro, NC); silver-containing soft silicone foam (Mepilex® Ag; Molnlycke Health Care, Gothenburg); soft silicone silver (Mepitel Ag® Molnlycke Health Care, Gothenburg). Tradition and surgeon preference are major influences on frequency of use. While recent literature supports using long-acting silver-based dressings over short-acting topicals, more research, particularly randomized controlled trials, is needed to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding their use.
Learning cardiac anatomy

Abstract An essential prerequisite for constructing the heart model is fast and robust parsing of the cardiovascular anatomy based on image data. This entails the detection, segmentation and tracking of anatomical structures or pathologies in the human heart and vascular system. Current solutions for these problems are based on machine learning and require large annotated image databases for effective training. In practice, however, these techniques often suffer from inherent limitations related to the efficiency in scanning high-dimensional parametric spaces and the learning of representative features for describing the image content. In this chapter, we present several established techniques for cardiac image parsing and structure tracking. For image parsing, we describe the marginal space learning framework, including the original version of the system that relies on handcrafted steerable features, as well as the modern redesign of the framework based on the latest automatic feature learning technology using deep learning. To address the limitations of these techniques that rely on exhaustive search, we present the concept of intelligent image parsing. Based on deep reinforcement learning and scale-space theory, this approach enables the efficient parsing of high-resolution volumetric data in real-time. Several experiments are included to analyze the performance of these methods on different problems using large datasets. This chapter also briefly describes a modern deep image-to-image neural network architecture for whole heart isolation. For cardiac structure tracking, a comprehensive review is presented of state-of-the-art structure tracking methods based on convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks.
A robust semi-analytical method based on integral formulations for modeling unconventional gas wells with variable production constraints

Abstract Modeling real multi-fractured horizontal gas wells with variable rate/pressure conditions has always been a challenging task. Previous studies demonstrated the advantages of integral solutions for modeling natural gas flow problems with variable inner boundary constraints, enabled by the convolution nature of such formulations. In this approach, the system's nonlinear behavior is captured through a rigorously-derived adjustment factor which becomes part of the final superimposed solution. The introduction of such a correction term captures additional complexities in the formulation that extends the applicability of classical Green's function techniques. This paper presents a robust and iterative semi-analytical method that solves the associated integral formulation used to model gas flow in porous media. The performance of our proposed method is compared against other Green's function-based solution protocols available in the literature. Validation against numerical simulations corroborated the robustness of our proposed approach in predicting reservoir performance. The method consistently provides the best predictive performance for all cases under study, which include variable and constant production constraints.
Strategic competition and the evolving role of Indo-Pacific paradiplomacy

Scholarship on paradiplomacy, or sub-national diplomacy, has often focused on economics, trade, cooperation and politics. The deepening of strategic competition between the People’s Republic of Chi...
A Systematic Review of the Positive Valence System in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This review synthesized current literature of behavioral and cognitive studies targeting reward processing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The National Institute of Mental Health’s Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Positive Valence System (PVS) domain was used as an overarching framework. The objectives were to determine which component operations of reward processing may be atypical in ASD and consequently postulate a heuristic model of reward processing in ASD that could be evaluated with future research. 34 studies were identified from the Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases and included in the review using guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (also known as PRISMA guidelines). The extant literature suggested potential relationships between social symptoms of ASD and PVS sub-constructs of reward anticipation, probabilistic and reinforcement learning, reward prediction error, reward (probability), delay, and effort as well as between restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBIs) and PVS-sub constructs of initial response to reward, reward anticipation, reward (probability), delay, and effort. However, these findings are limited by a sparse and mixed literature for some sub-constructs. We put forward a developmentally informed heuristic model that posits how these component reward processes may be implicated in early ASD behaviors as well as later emerging and more intransigent symptoms. Future research is needed to comprehensively evaluate the proposed model.
Bound Within a Box: Examination of Execration Figurines of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo:

Rituals against enemies, including the execration rituals and texts, have been studied at some length. However, the gaps in knowledge about the rituals, and the potential sources that must remain u...
Epilepsy Surgery: Intracranial EEG (iEEG) Candidate

Intracranial EEG is considered when seizures are non-localized during a non-invasive evaluation or when discordant information exists or confirmation of the seizure-onset zone residing in non-eloquent cortex is necessary prior to proceeding to epilepsy surgery. Intracranial EEG is a valuable tool for defining the seizure-onset zone; however, it is a procedure that carries risk and as such should only be used when necessary for localization and definition of the seizure focus.
How should theory guide a ‘shift to digital’ in mobile game-based learning?

This paper provides a theory-based critique and response to the Giannakas et al. [Educational Technology Research and Development, 66, 341–384 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-015-9396-3 ] critical review of mobile game-based learning. Within the framework of shifting-to-digital, the response discusses impact/value of the paper, possible application of the ideas found in the paper, limitations and constraints associated with the paper, and future suggestion for how the ideas in the paper should guide design and research.
Soluble MD-2 and Heme in Sickle Cell Disease Plasma Promote Pro-Inflammatory Signaling in Endothelial Cells

Recent evidence indicates that hemolysis in sickle cell disease (SCD) promotes inflammation via innate immune signaling through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Free heme released by hemolyzed red blood cells can bind to myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2) and activate TLR4 pro-inflammatory signaling on endothelium to promote vaso-occlusion and acute chest syndrome in murine models of SCD. MD-2 is co-expressed with TLR4 on cell membranes, but in inflammatory conditions, soluble MD-2 (sMD-2) is elevated in plasma. sMD-2 levels were significantly increased in human and murine sickle (SS) plasma as compared to normal (AA) plasma. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human lung microvascular endothelial cells incubated with human SS plasma had significant increases in pro-inflammatory IL-8, IL-6, and soluble VCAM-1 secretion compared to endothelial cells incubated with AA plasma. The increase in HUVEC IL-8 secretion was blocked by depletion of sMD-2 from SS plasma and enhanced by the addition of sMD-2 to AA plasma. The TLR4 signaling inhibitor, TAK-242, inhibited HUVEC IL-8 secretion in response to SS plasma by 85%. Heme-agarose pull-down assays and UV/Vis spectroscopy demonstrated that heme binds to sMD-2. Hemopexin, a high affinity heme-binding protein, inhibited HUVEC IL-8 secretion induced by SS plasma or SS and AA plasma supplemented with sMD-2. These data suggest that sMD-2 bound to heme might play an important role in pro-inflammatory signaling by endothelium in SCD.