cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Explicit Spatial Scattering for Load Balancing in Conservatively Synchronized Parallel Discrete Event Simulations

We re-examine the problem of load balancing in conservatively synchronized parallel, discrete- event simulations executed on high-performance computing clusters, focusing on simulations where computational and messaging load tend to be spatially clustered. Such domains are frequently characterized by the presence of geographic ``hot-spots'' -- regions that generate significantly more simulation events than others. Examples of such domains include simulation of urban regions, transportation networks and networks where interaction between entities is often constrained by physical proximity. Noting that in conservatively synchronized parallel simulations, the speed of execution of the simulation is determined by the slowest ( i.e most heavily loaded) simulation process, we study different partitioning strategies in achieving equitable processor-load distribution in domains with spatially clustered load. In particular, we study the effectiveness of partitioning via spatial scattering to achieve optimal load balance. In this partitioning technique, nearby entities are explicitly assigned to different processors, thereby scattering the load across the cluster. This is motivated by two observations, namely, (i) since load is spatially clustered, spatial scattering should, intuitively, spread the load across the compute cluster, and (ii) in parallel simulations, equitable distribution of CPU load is a greater determinant of execution speed than message passing overhead. Through large-scale simulation experiments -- both of abstracted and real simulation models -- on high performance clusters, we observe that scatter partitioning -- even with its greatly increased messaging overhead -- often significantly outperforms more conventional spatial partitioning techniques that seek to reduce messaging overhead. Further, even if hot-spots change over the course of the simulation, if the underlying feature of spatial clustering is retained, load continues to be balanced with spatial scattering leading us to the observation that spatial scattering can often obviate the need for dynamic load balancing.
Bordetella Interspecies Allelic Variation in AlcR Inducer Requirements: Identification of a Critical Determinant of AlcR Inducer Responsiveness and Construction of an alcR(Con) Mutant Allele

Previous studies established the critical roles of AlcR and alcaligin inducer in positive regulation of alcaligin siderophore biosynthesis and transport genes in Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Transcriptional analyses using plasmid-borne alcR genes of B. pertussis UT25 and B. bronchiseptica B013N to complement the alcR defect of B. bronchiseptica strain BRM13 (Delta alcR1 alcA::mini-Tn5 lacZ1) revealed interspecies differences in AlcR inducer requirements for activation of alcABCDER operon transcription. Whereas the B. pertussis UT25 AlcR protein retained strong inducer dependence when produced from multicopy plasmids, B. bronchiseptica B013N alcR partially suppressed the alcaligin requirement for transcriptional activation. Functional analysis of AlcR chimeras produced by interspecies domain swapping and interspecies reciprocal site-specific mutagenesis determined that the phenotypic difference in AlcR inducer dependence was due to a single amino acid difference within the proposed inducer-binding and multimerization domain of AlcR. Structural predictions guided the design of a mutant AlcR protein with a single amino acid substitution at this critical position, AlcR(S103T), that was fully constitutive not only when produced from multicopy plasmids but also at a single-copy gene dosage. These results indicate that AlcR residue 103 affects a critical determinant of alcaligin inducer dependence of AlcR-mediated transcriptional activation. The alcR(S103T) mutant allele is the first alcR(Con) mutant allele identified.
SatTrack (V4.0)-a real-time satellite tracking and orbit prediction program

SatTrack (V4.0) is a stand-alone satellite orbit prediction and real-time tracking program for UNIX platforms with X Window System color graphics displays. Written in C language, the program displays the location of Earth satellites and provides information for ground station control. A batch mode allows predictions of satellite passes over specified ground stations. SatTrack features the SGP4 and SDP4 orbit propagation algorithms.
Global Friends: The Builders Association at BAM

It is easy to sit back and simply get lost in the spectacle of Alladeen, the recent collaboration between New York's The Builders Association and London's motiroti. As the piece begins, a young Indian woman "multi-tasks" on her cell phone, switching between languages and discussing karaoke bars as her call waiting clicks in; a large screen behind her begins to simultaneously transform and blocks of images slide effortlessly into place like a puzzle, finally becoming a Virgin Records megastore. The night I saw the production, this moment of technological "magic" caused the BAM audience to break into applause, apparently over the technological innovation of the creation. Indeed, it is possible to be seduced by the use of technology on stage or the mesmerizing sound composition by Dan Dobson (with original music samples by Shrikanth Sriram). Equally facile is the manner in which the production team has woven the romantic tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp into and through a story about the increasing rise of International Call Centers in places like India, in which young people aim to "pass" as American (or British) to fulfill a growing global corporate need for cheap labor.
Contamination of the Deep Tissues of Carcasses by Bacteria Present on the Slaughter Instruments or in the Gut

Possible routes by which bacteria might reach the deep tissues of carcasses were tested by placing genetically ‘marked’strains of Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens or Bacillus thuringiensis on slaughter instruments before use and examining deep tissue samples for their presence post mortem. Bacteria present on the captive bolt pistol were recovered from the spleens of beef cattle and those placed on the pithing rod were found in both spleen and muscle of the flank and neck. Bacteria from the throat cutting (‘stick’) knife were isolated, on different occasions, from the heart, lung, spleen, liver and kidneys of sheep though rarely from their muscles. Orally administered bacteria were found in the spleen and lung, but not the musculature, of pigs.
Galactic radiation exposure during commercial flights: Is there a risk?

Background: High-energy subatomic particles emitted from outside our solar system continuously bombard the Earth. On the Earth's surface, we are relatively shielded from this “galactic radiation” by the atmosphere. However, during high-altitude commercial flights, people are at risk of increased
Continuous-mode frame synchronization for frequency-selective channels

Although it has been studied extensively for additive white Gaussian noise and flat fading channels, the problem of continuous-mode frame synchronization over frequency-selective channels has received much less attention. In this paper, based on the maximum likelihood criterion, we derive a computationally efficient continuous-mode algorithm for joint frame synchronization, channel and frequency offset estimation for linear modulations transmitted through unknown frequency-selective channels affected by carrier-frequency offset. Computer simulations show that the proposed algorithms exhibit low implementation complexity and good performance.
ODP Leg 137, borehole fluid chemistry in Hole 504B

Borehole fluid samples collected from Site 504B, during ODP Leg 137, provide the best opportunity to date to study water-rock interaction within the ocean crust. Chemical composition of the borehole fluids reveal the results of seawater-basalt interaction at elevated temperatures. The borehole fluids can be described as a two component mixture, consisting of a reacted fluid component and seawater which has convectively mixed into the borehole from the seafloor. Progressive trends in fluid chemistry with time suggest that the fluid-rock reactions have changed as the borehole has been drilled deeper into the hotter formation Based on data from this study and comparisons to fluid studies from past visits to Site 504B, indications are that these reactions are occurring within the borehole environment.
Simple approach to stimulated Brillouin scattering in glass aerosols

We have investigated the effects of stimulated Brillouin scattering on a transparent, spherical bead with a radius of the order of 25 μm, the wavelength of the incident laser being ~1 μm. We have used a simple approach with intuitive appeal that displays the fundamental physics. We consider two cases: (a) neither the pump field nor the Stokes field is on a Mie resonance of the spherical transparent bead; (b) both the pump field and the Stokes field are resonant. We derive explicit expressions for the electromagnetic differential scattering cross sections, using the Lippman–Schwinger equation for scalar electromagnetic field equations. Mie theory is utilized to estimate the occurrence of Mie resonances as the size parameter x = 2πa/λ is varied. We give quantitative estimates of the fraction of droplets expected to shatter owing to resonant stimulated Brillouin scattering in a polydisperse distribution.
Criminal Victimization and Its Effect on Fear of Crime and Justice Attitudes

This study explores the relationship between criminal victimization of a college student cohort and the impact of this victimization on their fear of crime and attitudes related to the justice system. The subgroups of victims and nonvictims were used to examine the change of attitude between their first and fourth years of college. Those who had been victims of crime had significantly greater fear of becoming future victims of property crime but no significant change in their fear of personal crimes. Nonvictims showed no increase in fear of property victimization but significant increase of fear for some personal crimes. Regarding the relationship between victimization and attitudes about the justice system, we could generalize that nonvictims showed significantly greater change in attitudes toward police, victims greater change in attitudes toward courts, and little change (none significant) for either victims or nonvictims in their attitudes toward the use of the death penalty.
The interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology certificate and interventional radiology residency.

The approval of the new certificate in interventional radiology (IR) and diagnostic radiology (DR) by the American Board of Medical Specialties was a notable event for two reasons: The basic training schematic in IR was changed from a 1-4-1 pattern (years of internship-years of DR-years of IR) to a 1-3-2 pattern, and IR was recognized as a primary specialty of the American Board of Radiology.
Journal Club: Randomized phase III study of whole-brain radiotherapy for primary CNS lymphoma

Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare aggressive variant of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that involves the brain, leptomeninges, eyes, or spinal cord. PCNSL is primarily treated with systemic high-dose methotrexate. The role of combining chemotherapy with whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) has been debated as WBRT is linked to delayed neurotoxicity, especially in patients older than 60 years.1 In 1999, the German PCNSL group initiated the largest and only phase III trial to date evaluating whether the omission of WBRT compromises OS in immunocompetent patients with PCNSL. The initial report at a median follow-up of 31.8 months was published in 2010.2 The updated version at a median follow-up of 81.2 months was recently published in Neurology ®.3
Gender Diversity in the Intermediate Appellate Courts of Canada

AbstractA large sample of cases from the courts of appeal in five large Canadian provinces are examined to assess the impact of gender diversification on appellate courts. The findings are that there are significant gender differences on the courts of appeal that parallel those on the Supreme Court of Canada. Women are significantly more likely than men are to support the government in criminal cases and to support the individual in civil liberties cases. Moreover, strong panel effects are discovered. As the number of female judges increases, the more male judges tend to adopt the typical female approach to judicial outcomes; no evidence is found that supports critical mass theory.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Disease in Children

Diagnosis of tuberculosis in children is challenging; even with advanced technologies, the diagnosis is often difficult to confirm microbiologically in part due to the paucibacillary nature of the disease. Clinical diagnosis lacks standardization, and traditional and molecular microbiologic methods lack sensitivity, particularly in children. Immunodiagnostic tests may improve sensitivity, but these tests cannot distinguish tuberculosis disease from latent infection and some lack specificity. While molecular tools like Xpert MTB/RIF have advanced our ability to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis and to determine antimicrobial resistance, decades old technologies remain the standard in most locales. Today, the battle against this ancient disease still poses one of the primary diagnostic challenges in pediatric laboratory medicine.
A Practical Procedure for Media Selection

There is a growing literature dealing with mathematical methods for media selection, but so far the emphasis has been mainly on mathematical programming, in particular, linear programming and its extensions.' This article describes what may appear to be a fresh approach to media selection although the method has previously been applied to a number of similar problems. This method, namely incremental analysis (IA), is not faultless, but it does enable one to study mediaselection models without some difficulties usually associated with mathematical programming models. In particular, using an IA approach, it is possible to explicitly account for audience duplication among media.
Commentary: Antiretroviral treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women--the shifting paradigm.

The global community has called for the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive [1]. Though viewed by some as overly optimistic and aspirational, this call to action has generated unprecedented momentum and transformed the global dialogue around prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) to emphasize efficiency, effectiveness and measurable impact of efforts to prevent new pediatric HIV infections. The 2013 WHO guidelines for the use of antiretroviral drugs in pregnant and breastfeeding women also represent a major paradigm shift from previous recommendations for PMTCT in low and middle-income settings (Table 1) [2].
Ambition, personalist regimes, and control of authoritarian leaders

Why do elites in some authoritarian regimes but not others remove from power the leaders who harm their interests? We develop a formal theory explaining this. The theory shows how elites’ ambition prevents them from controlling authoritarian leaders. Because ambitious elites are willing to stage coups to acquire power even when the leader is good, ambition renders elites’ claims that the leader’s actions harm them less credible, making the other elites less likely to support coups. We show that the impact of the proportion of competent politicians on personalist regimes is non-monotonic: personalist regimes are most likely to emerge not only when there are few competent politicians but also when there are lots of them. We also provide insight into which elites become coup-plotters. The theory explains the emergence of personalist regimes, the frequency of coups, and why some authoritarian countries enjoy a more competent leadership than others.
Simultaneous Vacuum-Ultraviolet Through Near-IR Absolute Radiation Measurement with Spatiotemporal Resolution in An Electric Arc Shock Tube

We report on new characterization capabilities recently implemented in the NASA Ames Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) facility. A new optical configuration, completely enclosed within a high vacuum chamber and attached to the shock tube, has enabled observation of spatially (and hence, temporally) resolved radiation through the shock layer. These imaging optics are coupled with four spectrometers covering the complete wavelength range of 1201700 nm, allowing for simultaneous measurement, at the same axial location, of spectral features over a broad range at various spectral resolutions. Measurements in the new system have addressed several of the discrepancies between model and experiment in prior EAST testing. The presence of CN impurity emission has been nearly eliminated, while atomic C and H emissions have been reduced. The presence of background continuum radiation has been confirmed as a real effect in the shock tube. Stark broadening measurements have been performed on Hydrogen Balmer-α line and show the electron number densities in the shock to be somewhat higher than model predictions. Experimental artifacts in the old configuration have been discovered and explain disagreements in the measured absolute magnitude of radiance.
Minor head injury may not be ‘minor’

Trauma to the head and neck can cause minor head injury with a brief alteration in consciousness. Generally, neurologic examination yields normal findings. In some patients, however, postconcussion syndrome marked by headache, dizziness, and neuropsychological deficits (eg, fatigue, cognitive impairment, emotional symptoms) results. This acceleration-deceleration injury with cerebral axonal dysfunction is an organic disease having objective abnormalities that necessitate early neurologic testing and treatment to prevent serious complications. Language: en
Influence of Bone and Muscle Injuries on the Osteogenic Potential of Muscle Progenitors: Contribution of Tissue Environment to Heterotopic Ossification

: By using surgical mouse models, this study investigated how the tissue environment influences the osteogenic potential of muscle progenitors (m-progenitors) and potentially contributes to heterotopic ossification (HO). Injury was induced by clamping the gluteus maximus and medius (group M) or osteotomy of greater trochanter (group O) on the right hip, as well as combined muscle injury and osteotomy of greater trochanter (group M+O). The gluteus maximus and medius of the operated hips were harvested at days 1, 3, 5, and 10 for isolation of m-progenitors. The cells were cultured in an osteogenic medium for 3 weeks, and osteogenesis was evaluated by matrix mineralization and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes. The expression of type I collagen, RUNX2 (runt-related transcription factor 2), and osteocalcin by the m-progenitors of group M+O was significantly increased, compared with groups M and O. Osteogenic m-progenitors in group O increased the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and also bone morphogenetic protein antagonist differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma. On histology, there was calcium deposition mostly in the muscles of group M+O harvested at day 10. CD56, representing myogenic progenitors, was highly expressed in the m-progenitors isolated from group M (day 10), but m-progenitors of group M+O (day 10) exhibited the highest expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFR-α), a marker of muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells (M-MSCs). The expressions of PDGFR-α and RUNX2 were colocalized in osteogenic m-progenitors. The data indicate that the tissue environment simulated in the M+O model is a favorable condition for HO formation. Most likely, M-MSCs, rather than myogenic progenitors, in the m-progenitors participate in HO formation. SIGNIFICANCE: The prevalence of traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO) is high in war injury. The pathogenesis of HO is still unknown. This study clarified the contribution of a tissue environment created by bone or muscle injury to the formation of HO. The study also found that muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells, but not myogenic progenitors, are involved in the formation of HO. The findings of this study could be used to strategize the prevention and treatment of HO.©AlphaMed Press. Language: en
Diurnal Variations of Photosynthesis in Yanlong Chestnut and Some Related Factors

In order to improve cultivation techniques of chestnut and enhance photosynthetic efficiency,diurnal variations of photosynthesis and some related factors were researched,taken Yanlong chestnut with 2 years as materials.The results showed that the curve of diurnal variations of net photosynthetic rate had 2 peaks,which were at 10:00 and 15:00 respectively,and midday depression was significant at 13:00-14:00;net photosynthetic rate was decreased after removing stamens;the trend of diurnal variations of stomata conductance was consistent with that of photosynthetic rate,but that of transpiration rate had only a peak which appeared at 13:00;intercellular CO2 concentration was high during midday depression.Air temperature,leave temperature and transpiration rate were increased with increasing of light intensity at noon,while stomata conductance and photosynthetic rate were decreased.
The relationship among pressure ulcer risk factors, incidence and nursing documentation in hospital-acquired pressure ulcer patients in intensive care units.

Aims and objectives To explore the quality/comprehensiveness of nursing documentation of pressure ulcers and to investigate the relationship between the nursing documentation and the incidence of pressure ulcers in four intensive care units. Background Pressure ulcer prevention requires consistent assessments and documentation to decrease pressure ulcer incidence. Currently, most research is focused on devices to prevent pressure ulcers. Studies have rarely considered the relationship among pressure ulcer risk factors, incidence and nursing documentation. Thus, a study to investigate this relationship is needed to fill this information gap. Design A retrospective, comparative, descriptive, correlational study. Method A convenience sample of 196 intensive care units patients at the selected medical centre comprised the study sample. All medical records of patients admitted to intensive care units between the time periods of September 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012 were audited. Data used in the analysis included 98 pressure ulcer patients and 98 non-pressure ulcer patients. The quality and comprehensiveness of pressure ulcer documentation were measured by the modified European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel Pressure Ulcers Assessment Instrument and the Comprehensiveness in Nursing Documentation instrument. Result The correlations between quality/comprehensiveness of pressure ulcer documentation and incidence of pressure ulcers were not statistically significant. Patients with pressure ulcers had longer length of stay than patients without pressure ulcers stay. There were no statistically significant differences in quality/comprehensiveness scores of pressure ulcer documentation between dayshift and nightshift. Conclusion This study revealed a lack of quality/comprehensiveness in nursing documentation of pressure ulcers. This study demonstrates that staff nurses often perform poorly on documenting pressure ulcer appearance, staging and treatment. Moreover, nursing documentation of pressure ulcers does not provide a complete picture of patients’ care needs that require nursing interventions. Relevance to clinical practice The implication of this study involves pressure ulcer prevention and litigable risk of nursing documentation.
Home care for children with multiple complex chronic conditions at the end of life: The choice of hospice versus home health

Families desire to bring their children home at end of life, and this creates a variety of unique care needs at home. This study analyzed the child and family factors associated with hospice versus home health care use in the last year of life among children with multiple complex chronic conditions. Using the Andersen Behavioral Healthcare Utilization Model, the predisposing, enabling, and need factors of the child and family were shown to be significant predictors of hospice and home health care use. Hospice and home health care have advantages, and families may wish to use the service that best fits their needs.
Concluding Remarks: Anisotropy: the good, the “bad” and …

The 191st Faraday Discussion meeting on "Nanoparticles with Morphological and Functional Anisotropy" offers a broad range of new insights into an interdisciplinary research field converged at the forefronts of chemistry, colloid science, and materials science. It was held on the campus of University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. Across the street of the meeting place, one could see a large portrait of Thomas Graham, the father of physical chemistry who coined the term of "colloid" in the 19th century, painted on the outside wall of a tall building. Without any doubt, he would also have enjoyed listening to the fascinating progress in a research field pioneered by him. The discussion was organized into four sessions, with each session covering a specific theme: (i) Janus and patchy nanoparticles; (ii) anisotropic nanoparticles; (iii) particles at interfaces; and (iv) applications. The meeting was further enriched by the presentation of 79 posters. Instead of giving a summary of what was presented at the meeting, I would like to take this opportunity to provide some personal perspectives, in conjunction with the insights offered by various authors.
The “T” be told: A review of Transparent

ABSTRACTThis book review evaluates Cris Beam's Transparent: Love, Family, and Living the T With Transgender Teenagers, a narrative of the author's relationships with young transsexual women of color in inner-city Los Angeles from 1998 to 2005. The book provides important insights into the lives of individuals who have rarely been considered in the literature about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth or transgender people.
Production of D-Xylonic Acid from Hemicellulose Using Artificial Enzyme Complexes

Lignocellulosic biomass represents a potentially large resource to supply the world's fuel and chemical feedstocks. Enzymatic bioconversion of this substrate offers a reliable strategy for accessing this material under mild reaction conditions. Owing to the complex nature of lignocellulose, many different enzymatic activities are required to function in concert to perform efficient transformation. In nature, large multienzyme complexes are known to effectively hydrolyze lignocellulose into constituent monomeric sugars. We created artificial complexes of enzymes, called rosettazymes, in order to hydrolyze glucuronoxylan, a common lignocellulose component, into its cognate sugar D-xylose and then further convert the D-xylose into D-xylonic acid, a Department of Energy top-30 platform chemical. Four different types of enzymes (endoxylanase, α-glucuronidase, β-xylosidase, and xylose dehydrogenase) were incorporated into the artificial complexes. We demonstrated that tethering our enzymes in a complex resulted in significantly more activity (up to 71%) than the same amount of enzymes free in solution. We also determined that varying the enzyme composition affected the level of complex-related activity enhancement as well as overall yield.
Financial Markets and Investments in the U.S. (Presentation Slides)

This presentation was given to the delegates from Caitong Securities. The goal was to deliver an educational presentation to explain the financial markets and investments in the United States.
Neoadjuvant combination immunotherapy with ipilimumab (3 mg/kg or 10mg/kg) and high dose IFN-a2b in locally/regionally advanced melanoma.

9585Background: Neoadjuvant ipilimumab (ipi) at 3 or 10 mg/kg in combination with high dose IFNα2b (HDI) for locally/regionally advanced or recurrent melanoma may improve the clinical outcomes of t...
Engineered Donor Marrow Macrophages Phagocytose Cancer Cells and Aggressively Shrink Solid Tumor Xenografts Compared to Tumor Associated Macrophages

Cell-based immunotherapies such as those based on engineered T-cells appear safe and often effective against liquid tumors. In solid tumors, macrophages are typically abundant, but the density of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) correlates with poor clinical outcomes as they promote tumor growth and immunosuppression. In our studies, less differentiated donor marrow phagocytes are engineered in order to target tumors and selectively phagocytose cancer cells. Xenograft tumors were first made on the flanks of NSG mice using a tdTomato human lung carcinoma cell line (A549). Systemic injections of anti-human IgG (anti-hum) with large tumors (~70 mm2) showed no effect on tumor growth. However, systemic injection of bone marrow from donor NSG mice together with biweekly anti-hum treatments effectively stopped growth of the solid tumors. Replacing anti-hum with a non-specific antibody had no effect on tumor growth. Based on tdTomato signal intensity within macrophages isolated from tumors, 5-10-fold more donor macrophages are phagocytic compared to resident TAMs (2-3% are phagocytic). Since cancer cells express on their surface 'self' markers that limit the phagocytosis of these cells, we inhibited the 'self' receptors on the injected donor phagocytes prior to systemic injection of the donor marrow. This combination of 'self'-receptor inhibition with anti-hum causes a rapid decrease in tumor burden, shrinking tumors by ~40% in just 10 days compared to a similar growth of untreated tumors in the same time period. The anti-hum injection was again necessary as injection of a non-specific antibody failed to affect tumor growth. Tumor analysis showed that >65% of macrophages that were 'self'-receptor inhibited had phagocytosed the tdTomato A549 cells, which is ~20-fold greater than resident macrophages. Importantly, these cell therapy treatments appear safe with no significant decreases in hematocrit or platelets, which is unlike the anemia that has been reported upon systemic injection of 'self' inhibitors. Our results thus suggest that therapies based on engineered macrophages can be safe and effective against solid tumors if three requirements are met: a phagocytic phenotype, target opsonization, and inhibition of 'self' signaling. Future experiments will involve characterizing macrophage phenotypes of donor versus resident macrophages as well as efforts to maintain the necessary phagocytic phenotype. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A jitter-resilient sampling technique for high-resolution ADCs in wideband RF receivers

In this paper, we analyze a novel sampling technique that addresses the clock jitter problem in high resolution wideband ADCs. The proposed sampler shapes the jitter-induced error in a manner similar to a ΔΣ ADC, which normally shapes the quantization noise. The clock jitter at the sampler is suppressed by the loop filter, and the impact of feedback pulse jitter is reduced through use of switched-capacitor feedback. As opposed to prior studies, we show that the a ΔΣ sampler suppresses the jitter error by more than 10X even at low OSR. As an example, a 2nd-order ΔΣ sampler increases the SJNR by 22 dB at OSR=5, corresponding to more than 3-bit improvement in the achievable SNR. Analysis indicates that increasing the loop order and/or OSR improves the amount of jitter suppression. In addition, the ΔΣ sampler provides the clock programmable anti-aliasing properties of an integration sampler. The analysis was validated via macro-model simulations in MATLAB and circuit simulation in Cadence.
Abstract 3111: Validated antibody Database: A curated database of antibodies cited in formal publications

Currently research antibodies have a serious quality problem, which is one of the major contributing factors to the irreproducibility of published reports. Labome organizes antibody applications cited in formal publications and has developed Validated Antibody Database (VAD). VAD, a manually curated database, compiles commercial and non-commercial antibodies whose specificities and applications have been independently reported in published results from formal articles. Labome prioritizes the curation of articles with knockout studies and monoclonal antibodies. One of the benefits of our curation effort is the identification of cross-reactive species and novel applications for antibodies, which are often developed for human/mouse proteins and tested by suppliers for a limited number of applications. Labome registers many antibodies having cross-reactivities with model organisms such as flies, worms, zebrafish, and frogs and with novel applications from the literature. The current version released in September 2016 is based on over 50000 formal publications and is freely accessible for online browsing. Citation Format: Hanqing Xie. Validated antibody Database: A curated database of antibodies cited in formal publications [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3111. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3111
Biological Scaling and Physiological Time: Biomedical Applications

A framework for the development of quantitative theories that capture the body size and body temperature dependence of many cellular and physiological rates and times is presented. These theories rely on basic properties of biological systems, such as the invariance of terminal units, and on fundamental constraints taken from physics and chemistry, such as energy minimization of flow through resource-distribution networks and statistics of biochemical reaction kinetics. The primary postulate of this framework is that metabolic rate—the rate at which organisms take in resources from the environment, distribute these resources throughout their bodies, and process these resources by means of biochemical reactions—is perhaps the most fundamental rate in all of biology and is a major determinant, through both direct and indirect effects, of most cellular and physiological rates. The pervasive effects of metabolic rate are due to the facts that cellular rates work in concert to produce the rates manifested at the whole-organism level, and that the power created by metabolism must be allocated to individual maintenance, ontogenetic growth, and reproduction. Here we outline the derivations of the body size and body temperature dependence of metabolic rate. Using the primacy of metabolic rate, we then describe the ongoing development of theories that connect the theory of biological scaling to several biomedical processes, including ontogenetic growth, nucleotide substitution rates, sleep, and cancer growth. Empirical data are presented that confirm the mass and temperature dependence of metabolic rate as well as predictions for lifespan, ontogenetic growth trajectories, and sleep cycle times. Insights gleaned from these theories could potentially lead to important biomedical applications, such as methods for calculating proper drug dosing or for frustrating processes related to tumor angiogenesis.
Structure and Dynamics of Ionic Block Copolymer Melts: Computational Study

Structure and dynamics of melts of copolymers with an ABCBA topology, where C is an ionizable block, have been studied by fully atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Introducing an ionizable block for functionality adds a significant element to the coupled set of interactions that determine the structure and dynamics of the macromolecule. The polymer consists of a randomly sulfonated polystyrene C block tethered to a flexible poly(ethylene-r-propylene) bridge B and end-capped with poly(tert-butylstyrene) A. The chemical structure and topology of these polymers constitute a model for incorporation of ionic blocks within a framework that provides tactility and mechanical stability. Here we resolve the structure and dynamics of a structured polymer on the nanoscale constrained by ionic clusters. We find that the melts form intertwined networks of the A and C blocks independent of the degree of sulfonation of the C block with no long-range order. The cluster cohesiveness and morphology affect both ma...
Red flag screening for low back pain: nothing to see here, move along: a narrative review

Screening for red flags in individuals with low back pain (LBP) has been a historical hallmark of musculoskeletal management. Red flag screening is endorsed by most LBP clinical practice guidelines, despite a lack of support for their diagnostic capacity. We share four major reasons why red flag screening is not consistent with best practice in LBP management: (1) clinicians do not actually screen for red flags, they manage the findings; (2) red flag symptomology negates the utility of clinical findings; (3) the tests lack the negative likelihood ratio to serve as a screen; and (4) clinical practice guidelines do not include specific processes that aid decision-making. Based on these findings, we propose that clinicians consider: (1) the importance of watchful waiting; (2) the value-based care does not support clinical examination driven by red flag symptoms; and (3) the recognition that red flag symptoms may have a stronger relationship with prognosis than diagnosis.
"Good versus Good Enough?" Empirical Tests of Methane Leak Detection Sensitivity of a Commercial Infrared Camera.

Methane, a key component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas. A key feature of recent methane mitigation policies is the use of periodic leak detection surveys, typically done with optical gas imaging (OGI) technologies. The most common OGI technology is an infrared camera. In this work, we experimentally develop detection probability curves for OGI-based methane leak detection under different environmental and imaging conditions. Controlled single blind leak detection tests show that the median detection limit (50% detection likelihood) for FLIR-camera based OGI technology is about 20 g CH4/h at an imaging distance of 6 m, an order of magnitude higher than previously reported estimates of 1.4 g CH4/h. Furthermore, we show that median and 90% detection likelihood limit follows a power-law relationship with imaging distance. Finally, we demonstrate that real-world marginal effectiveness of methane mitigation through periodic surveys approaches zero as leak detection sensitivity improves. For example...
The Need for and Value of Data Governance

Universities increasingly recognize data as a valuable enterprise asset and that the shift to a decentralized cloud based software as a service model makes it more difficult to manage these assets. Formal data governance programs are on the rise as a method to foster data-driven decisions and reduce risk. Data governance controls the data asset life cycle by focusing on governing the data itself rather than on managing the data processing technology. A data governance program assigns responsibility for specific data assets to individuals and formally defines that responsibility. Data governance programs provide a structured decision making process for resolving issues. As important users of enterprise data assets, Institutional Research departments can support the establishment of data governance programs by identifying current problems and evangelizing the benefits of a formal data governance program. Although this chapter focuses on data structures and examples from one particular institution, many of the comments included in this chapter can be considered by IR officials, in all types and sizes of institutions.
Linearized Flux Evolution (LiFE): A technique for rapidly adapting fluxes from full-physics radiative transfer models

Abstract Solar and thermal radiation are critical aspects of planetary climate, with gradients in radiative energy fluxes driving heating and cooling. Climate models require that radiative transfer tools be versatile, computationally efficient, and accurate. Here, we describe a technique that uses an accurate full-physics radiative transfer model to generate a set of atmospheric radiative quantities which can be used to linearly adapt radiative flux profiles to changes in the atmospheric and surface state—the Linearized Flux Evolution (LiFE) approach. These radiative quantities describe how each model layer in a plane-parallel atmosphere reflects and transmits light, as well as how the layer generates diffuse radiation by thermal emission and by scattering light from the direct solar beam. By computing derivatives of these layer radiative properties with respect to dynamic elements of the atmospheric state, we can then efficiently adapt the flux profiles computed by the full-physics model to new atmospheric states. We validate the LiFE approach, and then apply this approach to Mars, Earth, and Venus, demonstrating the information contained in the layer radiative properties and their derivatives, as well as how the LiFE approach can be used to determine the thermal structure of radiative and radiative-convective equilibrium states in one-dimensional atmospheric models.
Recent Advances in Laboratory Tests and the Significance of Autoantibodies to Nuclear Antigens in Systemic Rheumatic Diseases

There are many types of ANA and they may react with different nuclear components varying from nucleic acids to both basic and acidic nuclear proteins. Recent investigations have demonstrated that it is important not only to detect the presence and quantity of the ANA, but also to identify the immunologic specificities of the ANA in a given patient. The specific identification of the immunologic specificity of the ANA helps in the diagnosis and management of therapy in the various rheumatic diseases. In recent years, much progress has been made in the improvements of sensitivity, specificity, and quality control of many of the clinical laboratory tests for detection and quantitation of ANAs. Distinct profiles of ANA characterize different rheumatic diseases. A number of ANAs are found in SLE, whereas other diseases are characterized by the presence or absence of a certain ANA or by differences in mean ANA titers. Specific ANAs have been used to isolate and characterize nuclear antigens at the molecular and functional levels.
High-Resolution QPF Uncertainty and Its Implications for Flood Prediction: A Case Study for the Eastern Iowa Flood of 2016

AbstractThis study addresses the uncertainty of High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs), which were recently appended to the operational hydrologic forecast...
Comments on “Context and Reflexivity”

Professor Zaner’s paper is appropriately subtitled a “Genealogy of Self,” for it represents an attempt to exhibit the emergence of the subject or self. He does this in language which does not presuppose — in the first part of the paper — direct acquaintance with any of the numerous philosophical traditions in which the “self” has in modern times been treated. To comprehend the phenomenon of “self” is a pressing task for us. Such a comprehension will enable us “to account for the specifically human” and “every discipline focusing on ‘the human’ and ‘the human world’ — social and behavioral science, history, theology, as well as the biomedical sciences, medical practice… finally depends for its sense and justifiability on the elucidation of the phenomenon of ‘self’” (pp. 155–156, emphasis added). Zaner clearly intends to speak to the issue of this Symposium in pointing out, in the text we just quoted, the role philosophy should play in the biomedical sciences. He is well aware that philosophy does not enter into this role out of a position of strength.
The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IB non-small cell lung cancer: A decision, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness analysis.

8526Background: Despite complete surgical resection (SR), half of stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients die from systemic relapse. An independent risk factor for systemic progression ...
Early invasive assessment of the coronary microcirculation predicts subsequent acute rejection after heart transplantation

Abstract Background Acute allograft rejection (AAR) plays an important role in patient and graft survival; therefore, more emphasis should be placed on its prediction. This study aimed to investigate baseline clinical and diagnostic variables associated with subsequent AAR during the first year post-transplant, especially focusing on early physiologic and anatomic measures. Methods This study enrolled 88 heart transplant patients who underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR), the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in the left anterior descending artery at baseline (within 8 weeks post-transplant). Cardiac index (CI), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), right atrial pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction were also evaluated. AAR was defined as acute cellular rejection of grade ≥2R and/or pathological antibody-mediated rejection of grade ≥pAMR2. Results During the first year post-transplant, 25.0% of patients experienced AAR. Patients with AAR during the first year showed higher rates of recipient obesity, lower rates of recipient-donor sex mismatch and rATG and tacrolimus uses, higher PCWP, mPAP and IMR, and lower CFR at baseline, compared with those without. In the multivariate analysis, only baseline IMR ≥ 16.0 was independently associated with AAR during the first year, demonstrating high negative predictive value (96.7%). Conclusions Invasively assessing microvascular resistance (baseline IMR ≥ 16.0) in the early post-transplant period was an independent determinant of subsequent acute allograft rejection during the first year post-transplant, suggesting that early assessment of IMR may enhance patient risk stratification and target medical therapies to improve patient outcome.
Validity, reliability, and feasibility of the Brief School Needs Inventory: Evaluating educational risk for students with chronic health conditions.

Objective Researchers have increasingly emphasized the need to include routine educational and cognitive screening in the care plan for youth with chronic health conditions. Prior to now, a screener did not exist to asses risk/need in education in the pediatric setting; thus, this research aimed to examine the validity, reliability, and feasibility of the newly developed Brief School Needs Inventory (BSNI), which stratifies a patients level of educational risk/need in the context of a health condition. Methods The authors developed and pilot-tested two versions of an education risk screener utilizing a mixed-methods design, which included an expert panel review process and assessments for validity, reliability, and feasibility. Results Ninety-eight school-age survivors of an oncologic disease were assessed for educational risk. Participants were assigned to two groups and administered either the initial (n = 48) or revised (n = 50) version of the screener. The final version of the screener, the BSNI, predicted educational risk in congruence with school liaisons perceived risk assessment with 94% accuracy. Liaisons also reported confidence in the results of 98% of cases for the BSNI. Similarly, expert panel results for the BSNI indicated a high degree of interrater agreement and content validity. Conclusions The BSNI was found to be a valid and reliable screener for predicting educational risk for youth with oncologic conditions; future studies will examine use of the screener within other pediatric chronic populations.