cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GPU Performance Comparison for Accelerated Radar Data Processing

Radar is a data-intensive measurement technique often requiring significant processing to make full use of the received signal. However, computing capacity is limited at remote or mobile radar installations thereby limiting radar data products used for real-time decisions. We used graphics processing units (GPUs) to accelerate processing of high resolution phase-coded radar data from the Modular UHF Ionosphere Radar (MUIR) at the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Gakona, Alaska. Previously, this data could not be processed on-site in sufficient time to be useful for decisions made during active experiment campaigns, nor could the data be uploaded for off-site processing to high-performance computing (HPC) resources at the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center (ARSC) in Fairbanks. In this paper, we present a radar data-processing performance comparison of a workstation equipped with dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 GPU accelerator cards and a node from ARSC's PACMAN cluster equipped with dual NVIDIA Tesla M2050 cards. Both platforms meet performance requirements, are relatively inexpensive and could operate effectively at remote observatories such as HAARP.
Stabilizing an S-band antenna for mobile communication from the moon

The Google Lunar X-prize is a race for the first commercial program to fly a rover to the Moon and return imagery. In order to meet media expectations and generate significant revenue, this imagery must be in 720p High Definition format, which necessitates very high bandwidth communications. In order to provide such bandwidth throughout the mission, a high gain antenna must remain pointed at Earth, even while roving. This paper describes the simulation and performance analysis of a system to stabilize an S-band antenna for a moving X-prize class rover. To determine the necessary flight components and control system complexity, various sensor configurations are compared. These sensors include an earth tracking camera, an inertial measurement unit and motor encoders. The resulting system demonstrates the pointing capability necessary to achieve a sustained 2.0Mbps data transfer to a 13m ground receiving dish, enough for a successful commercial venture to the Moon.
Elevated Baseline Anxiety Among African Americans in Laboratory Research Settings

We tested the hypothesis that African Americans would show greater anxiety than their European American counterparts when entering laboratory research settings. We examined subjective and physiological anxiety measures obtained both inside and outside the research laboratory from 126 African Americans and 147 European Americans in three separate studies. Consistent with our hypotheses, African Americans reported experiencing significantly more baseline anxiety and showed greater baseline physiological arousal consistent with anxiety than European Americans. These differences were evident when controlling for anxiety observed outside of the research setting as well as baseline differences in overall emotional experience. Our findings highlight the need to consider laboratory-induced anxiety as a potential confound in studies involving African Americans. This may be especially important in race comparison studies in which undetected baseline anxiety could alter the interpretation of subsequent race comparisons.
Device physics impact on low leakage, high speed DSP design techniques

The limitations of implementing low leakage schemes and their application to current state of the art components is discussed In addition to source subthreshold leakage, both gate induced diode leakage current and tunneling gate leakage current must be comprehended A viable leakage reduction strategy requires extensive modeling of circuits in the standby mode as well as new demands on the understanding of transistor physics. The ramifications of the physics of the behavior of transistors under conditions of high electric fields apply not only at the circuit level but can also impact the chip level system. In the coming applications of mobile electronics, understanding of this concept is critical.
Design considerations for a Lambertson septum magnet for the Spallation Neutron Source

Multiple-stage injections to an accumulator ring boost intensity until a final extraction delivers the full proton beam to a target transfer line. Kickers and an Extraction Lambertson Septum (ELS) magnet implement extraction. Studied here are various concerns of the design of an ELS magnet, including: lattice geometry, beam dynamics and optics considerations; and vacuum, electromagnetic and mechanical design aspects. Reference datum and transformations are established and shown schematically. Coil, yoke, and shield design optimization is discussed.
How the Framing of Instructional Coaching as a Lever for Systemic or Individual Reform Influences the Enactment of Coaching

Purpose: Instructional coaching is framed as both a means for systemic and individual reform. These competing conceptualizations of coaching as a mechanism for change have not been systematically examined, and therefore, we know little about how the framing of instructional coaching initiatives affects the enactment of coaching. In response to this gap in the literature, we examined one district’s efforts to use literacy coaching as a means to facilitate system-wide changes in literacy practice. Our investigation asks: How does the framing of coaching as a lever for systemic and/or individual reform influence the enactment of literacy coaching? Research Methods: Qualitative data were collected from four literacy coaches in one district including time allocation logs, interviews (n = 32), recorded discussions, and written documentation. Additional data related to the coaches’ training program included observations of 22 training sessions, interviews with the program leaders (n = 7) and regional district le...
A Comparison of Pimp- and Non-Pimp-Controlled Women

A study of 50 incarcerated urban prostitutes finds that 40% have been under the control of a pimp. Pimp-controlled prostitutes are more likely to be single, to have failed to complete high school, to be non-White, to have never held a legitimate job, and to come from exceptionally dysfunctional families. Pimp-controlled prostitutes were younger when they had their first sexual experience, first used illegal drugs, and first engaged in prostitution. Pimp-controlled prostitutes are also more likely to be the victims of violence from customers, suggesting that the pressure to make extra money to support the pimp exposes these women to additional risk. Because of these accumulated adverse experiences, this group may require additional, long-term interventions.
Neurocognitive impairment in unaffected siblings of youth with bipolar disorder.

Background There is growing evidence for the familiality of pediatric bipolar disorder (BPD) and its association with impairments on measures of processing speed, verbal learning and 'executive' functions. The current study investigated whether these neurocognitive impairments index the familial risk underlying the diagnosis. Method Subjects were 170 youth with BPD (mean age 12.3 years), their 118 non-mood-disordered siblings and 79 non-mood-disordered controls. Groups were compared on a battery of neuropsychological tests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, the Stroop Color Word Test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF), an auditory working memory Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the California Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version (CVLT-C). Measures were factor analyzed for data reduction purposes. All analyses controlled for age, sex and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results Principal components analyses with a promax rotation yielded three factors reflecting: (1) processing speed/verbal learning, (2) working memory/interference control and (3) abstract problem solving. The CPT working memory measure with interference filtering demands (WM INT) was only administered to subjects aged > or =12 years and was therefore analyzed separately. BPD youth showed impairments versus controls and unaffected relatives on all three factors and on the WM INT. Unaffected relatives exhibited impairments versus controls on the abstract problem-solving factor and the WM INT. They also showed a statistical trend (p=0.07) towards worse performance on the working memory/interference control factor. Conclusions Neurocognitive impairments in executive functions may reflect the familial neurobiological risk mechanisms underlying pediatric BPD and may have utility as endophenotypes in molecular genetic studies of the condition.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous epoetin alfa in children with cancer.

Background Epoetin alfa (EPO, PROCRIT®) pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were evaluated in children with malignant solid tumors receiving chemotherapy. Procedure Children initially received IV EPO 600 IU/kg (max dose 40,000 IU) or placebo once weekly for 16 weeks. Dose was increased to 900 IU/kg (max dose 60,000 IU) for patients not achieving a 1 g/dl increase in hemoglobin by study week 3 or 4. Serial PK samples were collected for 24 hr after the first study dose, and after the 10th or 11th dose. Serum EPO concentrations were analyzed using an ELISA assay, and pharmacokinetics were evaluated using compartmental methods. Results Twelve children participated; six (median age 15.2 years; range 9.3–18.6 years) were randomized to receive EPO. All children required dosage increases to 900 IU/kg due to no response. The median (range) apparent EPO AUC0–24 and clearance (CL) were 67.1 IU/ml·hr (13.8–102.6) and 0.26 L/hr/m2 (0.19–1.08), respectively. After the 10th or 11th EPO dose in four of these six EPO patients, the median (range) apparent AUC0–24 and CL of EPO was 126.5 IU/ml·hr (107.3–161.1) and 0.21 L/hr/m2 (0.15–0.25), respectively. No significant correlations were observed between pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic effects. Conclusions EPO disposition in our patients was similar to other pediatric patient populations or adults receiving IV EPO. Interesting but insignificant trends were noted in pharmacodynamic effects. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006; 47:572–579. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Super-resolution using an enhanced Papoulis-Gerchberg algorithm

Super resolution (SR) is the process of generating a raster image with a higher resolution than its source. The Papoulis-Gerchberg (P-G) algorithm known as one of the most important approaches of signal reconstruction, has been extensively used to reconstruct high-resolution information from low-resolution images by imposing spatial and frequency domain constraints in an iterative process. Although this procedure is easy to implement, it converges slowly and requires pre-knowledge of the image bandwidth. To overcome these problems, a new procedure is proposed, to enhance the original P-G algorithm in terms of speed and performance, by using dynamic properties in the frequency domain. The proposed technique also allows an automatic adjustment of the bandwidth during each iteration. Computer simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Aging and Oxidation of Elastomers

Abstract Natural rubber and synthetic elastomers deteriorate on aging as a result of the contribution of a number of factors. It has been generally recognized for many years that the changes in properties on aging are due primarily to the deteriorating effects of one or more of the following factors: heat, light, oxygen, and ozone. Some nonoxidative thermal changes are involved but the effects of heat and light are for the most part a result of their effect upon the oxidation reaction. Thus oxygen in the form of O2 or O3 is the primary cause of deterioration of elastomers. Rapid combination with ozone is a characteristic reaction of unsaturated organic compounds. In the case of rubber the reaction results in cleavage of the molecular chains with the development of surface cracks if the rubber is under stress. These cracks grow both in length and depth and soon result in serious deterioration of the material. The ozone problem is quite different from deterioration by ordinary atmospheric oxygen and is of s...
A Covariance Analysis of Vision-Aided Inertial Navigation: Free Fall Case

Inertial Navigation System (INS) aiding using bearing measurements taken over time of stationary ground features is investigated. A vertical munition drop is considered. The objective is to quantify the temporal development of the uncertainty in the navigation states provided by a munition’s INS which is aided by taking bearing measurements of ground objects which have been geolocated using ownship position. It is shown that a munition in “free fall,” by tracking its geolocated ground features, will have the benefit of a considerable reduction in the uncertainty in the INS-provided navigation state.
Incorporating emotional geography into climate change research: A case study in Londonderry, Vermont, USA

Abstract The influence of emotional knowledge upon the ways people experience and understand climate change is increasingly recognized within geographic scholarship; however, limited research considers the potential of emotion to prompt adaptation. Drawing upon literature of emotional geography, social dimensions of climate change, and public participation, this study illustrates the role of emotion in a public participation exercise in Londonderry, Vermont – a small town struggling to recover from Tropical Storm Irene. As a member of an interdisciplinary design team that facilitated a workshop on flood resilience and adaptive design in Londonderry, I witnessed an innovative exercise that employed storytelling, emotion, and body movement. This activity, which I term ‘emotive-physical storytelling’, created a foundation of trust and interpersonal connection that facilitators and residents built upon to plan for flood resiliency. Contrary to recent accounts of the ways that negative emotional responses can cause inaction in the face of climate change, this paper argues that creative public participation methods can generate positive emotions such as hope, responsibility, care, and solidarity. Such emotions have the potential to inspire adaptive action and produce transformative change.
The Action and Neutralization of a Renal Lipid Inhibitor of Erythropoietin

SummaryA potent inhibitor of erythropoietin was isolated from rabbit renal homog-enates and found to be soluble in ether and acetone. It contained primarily neutral lipids and only trace amounts of phospholipids and amino acids. Its inhibitory activity was not temperature dependent and it was almost completely neutralized by the addition of small amounts of normal rabbit serum. When serum was added to the inactive erythropoietin-lipid mixture, some, but not all, erythropoietin could be recovered. These results suggest that erythropoietin may be inactivated by a renal lipid during extraction procedures, thus accounting for the fact that renal extracts are erythropoietically inactive.
Autophagy is a key factor in maintaining the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells by promoting quiescence and preventing senescence

Autophagy, a highly regulated cellular degradation and recycling process, can occur constitutively at a basal level, and plays an essential role in many aspects of cell physiology. A recently published study (see the related punctum in Autophagy, Vol. 12, No. 4) suggests that basal autophagy is also important for maintaining the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells, and that the decline of autophagy with aging is the cause of entry into senescence from quiescence in satellite cells.
A Preliminary Study in Regularizing the Coherent Structures in a Planar, Weakly-Compressible, Free Shear Layer

This paper presents our first attempt at regularizing the coherent, vortical structures in a planar, relatively-high-Mach-number free shear layer. The purpose of regularizing the structures is to reduce the bandwidth required by an adaptive optic system to correct for the aero-optic aberrations imposed on a laser beam passing through the shear layer. In order to regularize the structures, plasma actuators were used. Analysis is given that suggests that the plasma actuators are best suited for this regularization. Results are presented for a single actuator design operated in two modes using four ac waveforms. This configuration showed mixed but somewhat encouraging results.
Peripheral Neuropathy in Krabbe’s Disease

A 13-year-old female child presenting with scoliosis, pes cavus, distal lower extremity weakness, sensory loss, and delayed nerve conduction velocities, initially diagnosed as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, later developed lower extremity spasticity and laboratory evaluations were consistent with Krabbe’s disease, in a report from the Alfred I duPont Institute, Wilmington, DE.
Resting Afferent Renal Nerve Discharge and Renal Inflammation: Elucidating the Role of Afferent and Efferent Renal Nerves in Deoxycorticosterone Acetate Salt Hypertension.

Renal sympathetic denervation (RDNx) has emerged as a novel therapy for hypertension; however, the therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. Efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity has recently been implicated in trafficking renal inflammatory immune cells and inflammatory chemokine and cytokine release. Several of these inflammatory mediators are known to activate or sensitize afferent nerves. This study aimed to elucidate the roles of efferent and afferent renal nerves in renal inflammation and hypertension in the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt rat model. Uninephrectomized male Sprague–Dawley rats (275–300 g) underwent afferent-selective RDNx (n=10), total RDNx (n=10), or Sham (n=10) and were instrumented for the measurement of mean arterial pressure and heart rate by radiotelemetry. Rats received 100-mg DOCA (SC) and 0.9% saline for 21 days. Resting afferent renal nerve activity in DOCA and vehicle animals was measured after the treatment protocol. Renal tissue inflammation was assessed by renal cytokine content and T-cell infiltration and activation. Resting afferent renal nerve activity, expressed as a percent of peak afferent nerve activity, was substantially increased in DOCA than in vehicle (35.8±4.4 versus 15.3±2.8 %Amax). The DOCA–Sham hypertension (132±12 mm Hg) was attenuated by ≈50% in both total RDNx (111±8 mm Hg) and afferent-selective RDNx (117±5 mm Hg) groups. Renal inflammation induced by DOCA salt was attenuated by total RDNx and unaffected by afferent-selective RDNx. These data suggest that afferent renal nerve activity may mediate the hypertensive response to DOCA salt, but inflammation may be mediated primarily by efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity. Also, resting afferent renal nerve activity is elevated in DOCA salt rats, which may highlight a crucial neural mechanism in the development and maintenance of hypertension.
546. Identification of Optimal AAV Vector and Route of Administration for Neonatal Treatment Using the Murine MPS IIIB Model

Mucopolysaccharidoses IIIB (MPS IIIB), is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by defective production of the enzyme α-N-acetylglucosaminidase and is characterized by retention and accumulation of heparan sulfate. It is defined by severe and complex central nervous system (CNS) pathology. No cure exists. Treatment options are limited by the need to overcome the blood-brain barrier and gain successful entry to the CNS. Research suggests that the optimal therapeutic window occurs prior to toddlerhood. Based on this knowledge, using the murine neonatal MPS IIIB model, we evaluate and describe for the first time, therapeutic assessment of two capsid mutated Adeno-associated virus serotype 8 variants for the treatment of MPS IIIB. Our goal is to assess biodistribution and transduction profiles of GFP expressing AAV8(double Y-F) and AAV8(double Y-F+T-V) variants, compared to normal AAV8, administered through four intracranial routes: six site (IC6), thalamic (TH), intracerebroventricular (ICV) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). The serotype exhibiting the best treatment potential is defined by broadest distribution and transduction profiles. Comparative evaluation of vector biodistribution of each of the four administration methods revealed that IC6>ICV>TH>VTA. Surprisingly, evaluation of transduction profiles revealed that AAV8(double Y-F+T-V)>AAV8>AAV8(double Y-F). Based on functional significance, the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebellum were assessed in each animal. In IC6 administered AAV8(double Y-F+T-V) treated animals, cortical layers II/III, IV and V/VI; as well as, all hippocampal layers were robustly transduced, while the thalamus and cerebellum were modestly transduced. The ICV method yielded heavy localization of vector in the hippocampus and proximal thalamic areas with modest cortical deposition of vector along needle track. The TH and VTA methods proved least desirable to facilitate vector biodistribution. Phenotypic assessment of transduced cells suggest primary robust transduction of neurons compared to astrocytes. For the first time, we have provided proof of concept for the utility of IC6 administration of AAV8(double Y-F+T-V) as a valid therapeutic approach for the early treatment of MPS IIIB with further implications for other monogenic diseases.
Description of three new species of Potamonautes MacLeay, 1838 from the Lake Victoria region in southern Uganda, East Africa (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae)

Three new species of potamonautid freshwater crabs are described from the Lake Victoria region in southern Uganda, East Africa. Two of the new species ( Potamonautes busungwe sp. nov. and P. entebbe sp. nov.) are from the shores of Lake Victoria, while the third ( P. kantsyore sp. nov.) is from an inland locality on the Kagera River that flows into the lake. In addition, two of the new taxa ( P. busungwe sp. nov. and P. kantsyore sp. nov.) are among the smallest species of freshwater crabs so far known from Africa. Diagnoses, illustrations and distribution maps are provided for these taxa, which are compared to similar species from Uganda and elsewhere in East Africa.
Iron reductive dissolution in vadose zone soils: Implication for groundwater pollution in landfill impacted sites

Abstract Iron (Fe) contamination of groundwater has become a problem of concern at a number of landfill impacted locations, and long-term monitoring studies suggest that the reductive dissolution of iron (hydr)oxide minerals present in soils and aquifer sediments could be one the sources of dissolved Fe measured in impacted aquifers. In this study, vadose zone soil samples were collected along a gradient emphasizing differences in both soil water saturation levels and degrees of crystallization of Fe-minerals. Collected soil samples were analyzed for pH, organic matter content, particle size distribution, and Fe speciation into amorphous and crystalline fractions. Batch experiments were conducted under anaerobic conditions using soil slurries with (treatments) or without (controls) landfill leachate addition to the liquid phase. Under the experimental conditions used in this study, tested soils released Fe primarily via reductive dissolution pathways, with rates ranging from ∼0.3 to 12 mg Fe/kg.day. However, no clear trend was evident between the amount of Fe released and the crystallinity degrees of the iron minerals present in the tested soils. The addition of organic carbon sources to prepared vadose soils slurries fueled the microbial driven Fe-reductive dissolution, suggesting that organic-rich landfill leachate would play a significant role in the dissolution of iron (hydr)oxide minerals, and potentially in the mobilization of toxic metals co-precipitated with or adsorbed onto iron (hydr)oxide minerals.
Blood-based untargeted metabolomics in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis revealed testable therapeutic target

Relapsing-remitting (RRMS), a most common form of MS, is characterized by acute attacks alternated by partial or complete recovery periods. The major focus of our research is to identify the therapeutic target using metabolomics. Metabolomics is a fast emerging field which can provide a direct “functional readout of the physiological state” of an organism. Identification of blood-based metabolic pathway(s) in relapsing-remitting form of MS (RRMS) which could be used for therapy. Using untargeted ultra-performance liquid and gas mass spectrometry, we measured serum metabolites from 33 RRMS patients, and 14 healthy subjects (HS). A total of 621 known metabolites were detected and 60 metabolites were significantly altered in the serum of RRMS compared to HS. Bioinformatics analysis revealed four metabolic pathways altered in RRMS including glycerophospholipid, citrate cycle, sphingolipids, and pyruvate metabolism. PBMCs isolated from RRMS patients exhibited higher glycolysis suggesting altered metabolic state of immune cells. EAE mice treated with glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG; once daily), resulted in a significantly delayed (P
Mobile Network Performance from User Devices: A Longitudinal, Multidimensional Analysis

In the cellular environment, operators, researchers and end users have poor visibility into network performance for devices. Improving visibility is challenging because this performance depends factors that include carrier, access technology, signal strength, geographic location and time. Addressing this requires longitudinal, continuous and large-scale measurements from a diverse set of mobile devices and networks. This paper takes a first look at cellular network performance from this perspective, using 17 months of data collected from devices located throughout the world. We show that (i) there is significant variance in key performance metrics both within and across carriers; (ii) this variance is at best only partially explained by regional and time-of-day patterns; (iii) the stability of network performance varies substantially among carriers. Further, we use the dataset to diagnose the causes behind observed performance problems and identify additional measurements that will improve our ability to reason about mobile network behavior.
The promise and success of lab-eld generalizability in experimental economics: A critical reply to Levitt and List

This paper addresses a recent criticism of experimental economics, by Levitt and List [2007ab, 2008], that lab experimental findings may not generalize to field settings. We argue against the criticism in three ways. First, experimental economics seeks to establish a general theory linking economic factors, such as incentives, rules, and norms, to behavior. Hence, generalizability from the lab to the field is not a primary concern in a typical experiment. Second, the experimental features that could threaten lab-field generalizability are not essential for all lab experiments (except for obtrusiveness, because of human subjects protection). And even so, there is little evidence that typical lab features not necessarily undermine generalizability. Third, we review economics experiments that are specifically designed to test lab-field generalizability; most experiments demonstrated that laboratory findings could indeed be generalized to comparable field settings.
The Princess’ Political Mission in Love’s Labour’s Lost: The Embassy to Get Aquitaine and “All that Is” Navarre’s

The chapter explores Love’s Labour’s Lost as a play about governmental rather than romantic affairs and concentrates primarily on Shakespeare’s portrayal of the Princess and her ladies as accomplished political agents, who arrive in Navarre with the sole purpose of outwitting the King of Navarre over a debt that the French owe him and his possession of Aquitaine as a “surety” against the debt. The Princess pulls some crafty maneuvers to accomplish her agenda, including subterfuge and sexual allure, as the play ends with the prospect of a martial coup in a projected sixth act. The chapter argues that Shakespeare draws parallels between the Princess and Catherine de’ Medici, and the King of Navarre and Henri of Navarre—two historical figures on whom he models his protagonists.
The Mathematical Frontier: Trigonometry, Derivatives, Optima, Differential Equations

The mathematical tools that enable quantitative policy analysis and its graphics should be accessible with high school calculous. This chapter refreshes the basic concepts of trigonometry, derivatives, and differential equations.
Addiction: Informing drug abuse interventions with brain networks

Abstract Brain networks related to the chronic relapsing brain disease of addiction have been identified using preclinical and clinical models. The field has primarily identified reward processing, salience, executive control, and the default-mode network to be dysregulated in substance use disorders (SUDs). An imbalance between reward (stronger) and executive control (weaker) networks often characterizes addiction. Seed-based, independent component analysis, and graph theory methods are implemented to identify and analyze these networks. In this chapter, we describe what is known about the disease with regard to these networks with an eye toward informing interventions. Specifically, multimodal datasets could yield a new understanding of risk factors and potentially new targets for intervention. Noninvasive brain stimulation, with focal manipulation, could specifically target dysregulated networks associated with the disease. Overall, we believe a network-level understanding of the disease could facilitate the development of effective interventions necessary for a population suffering from a disease without effective treatments.
Comparison of Patient‐Reported Care Satisfaction, Quality of Warfarin Therapy, and Outcomes of Atrial Fibrillation: Findings From the ORBIT‐AF Registry

Background Patient satisfaction with therapy is an important metric of care quality and has been associated with greater medication persistence. We evaluated the association of patient satisfaction with warfarin therapy to other metrics of anticoagulation care quality and clinical outcomes among patients with atrial fibrillation ( AF ). Methods and Results Using data from the ORBIT - AF (Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation) registry, patients were identified with AF who were taking warfarin and had completed an Anti-Clot Treatment Scale ( ACTS ) questionnaire, a validated metric of patient-reported burden and benefit of oral anticoagulation. Multivariate regressions were used to determine association of ACTS burden and benefit scores with time in therapeutic international normalized ratio range ( TTR ; both ≥75% and ≥60%), warfarin discontinuation, and clinical outcomes (death, stroke, major bleed, and all-cause hospitalization). Among 1514 patients with AF on warfarin therapy (75±10 years; 42% women; CHA 2 DS 2- VAS c 3.9±1.7), those most burdened with warfarin therapy were younger and more likely to be women, have paroxysmal AF , and to be treated with antiarrhythmic drugs. After adjustment for covariates, ACTS burden scores were independent of TTR ( TTR ≥75%: odds ratio, 1.01 [95% CI , 0.99-1.03]; TTR ≥60%: odds ratio, 1.01 [95% CI , 0.98-1.05]), warfarin discontinuation (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% CI , 0.97-1.01), or clinical outcomes. ACTS benefit scores were also not associated with TTR , warfarin discontinuation, or clinical outcomes. Conclusions In a large registry of patients with AF taking warfarin, ACTS scores provided independent information beyond other traditional metrics of oral anticoagulation care quality and identified patient groups at high risk for dissatisfaction with warfarin therapy.
An Efficient Approach for Studies of Water Clusters Using Diffusion Monte Carlo

An efficient and accurate approach for using diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) to study molecular clusters is described and applied to an investigation of (H2O)n with n = 1, 2, 3. In this approach, importance sampled DMC is used to describe the intramolecular degrees of freedom of the water monomers. The intermolecular degrees of freedom are treated using standard unguided DMC approaches. This hybrid approach allows us to use significantly smaller simulations to obtain converged zero-point energies and ground state wave functions than would be required for a fully unguided simulation of the same system. We demonstrate the efficiency, accuracy, and utility of this approach through a study of nine isotopologues of water trimer, focusing on how the ground state probability amplitude for these clusters samples the various low-energy minima on the potential surface.
INPUT, INTERACTION, AND SECOND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT: An Empirical Study of Question Formation in ESL

This study examines the relationship between different types of conversational interaction and SLA. Long's (1996) updated version of the interactionist hypothesis claims that implicit negative feedback, which can be obtained through negotiated interaction, facilitates SLA. Similar claims for the benefits of negotiation have been made by Pica (1994) and Gass (1997). Some support for the interaction hypothesis has been provided by studies that have explored the effects of interaction on production (Gass & Varonis, 1994), on lexical acquisition (Ellis, Tanaka, & Yamazaki, 1994), on the short-term outcomes of pushed output (see Swain, 1995), and for specific interactional features such as recasts (Long, Inagaki, & Ortega, 1998; Mackey & Philp, 1998). However, other studies have not found effects for interaction on grammatical development (Loschky, 1994). The central question addressed by the current study was: Can conversational interaction facilitate second language development? The study employed a pretest-posttest design. Adult ESL learners (N = 34) of varying L1 backgrounds were divided into four experimental groups and one control group. They took part in task-based interaction. Research questions focused on the developmental outcomes of taking part in various types of interaction. Active participation in interaction and the developmental level of the learner were considered. Results of this study support claims concerning a link between interaction and grammatical development and highlight the importance of active participation in the interaction.
A NONSENSE GATA6 MUTATION EXPLAINS HISTORY OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS AND 10 YEARS OF POORLY-CONTROLLED DIABETES LACKING DKA IN A NON-OBESE 30 YEAR-OLD INCIDENTALLY FOUND TO HAVE PANCREATIC HYPOPLASIA.

ABSTRACT Objective: To report a case of diabetes mellitus (DM) associated with partial pancreatic agenesis and congenital heart disease (CHD) in a patient found to have a nonsense mutation of the G...
PROGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF HEART SCORE IN PREDICTING MAJOR ADVERSE CARDIAC EVENTS IN 30, 90 AND 120 DAYS IN PATIENTS PRESENTING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WITH CHEST PAIN IN A COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEM

HEART score (HS) has been validated and is being widely used as a tool for risk stratification of chest pain (CP) in the emergency department (ED). However, it has not been well studied in the community hospital setting. We sought to determine the prognostic accuracy of HS in predicting major
Subjective Benefits of Bimodal Listening in Cochlear Implant Recipients with Asymmetric Hearing Loss.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of cochlear implant (CI) use on subjective benefits in quality of life in cases of asymmetric hearing loss (AHL).Study DesignProspective clinical trial.Setting...
Time Resolved Optical Modulation Spectroscopy of Amorphous Semiconductors

Recent results of studies of amorphous Si:H using time resolved photomodulation spectroscopy in the time domain from a fraction of a picosecond to milliseconds are reviewed. Information has been obtained on energy dissipation rates of hot carriers, transport processes associated with carrier trapping in shallow and deep states, recombination at high tempertures involving multiple trapping and at low temperatures by tunneling.
Clinical Practice Guidelines: Supporting Decisions, Optimizing Care

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are repositories of high quality medical knowledge. During the past decade and a half, as techniques for distilling clinical knowledge from basic research have improved, data may be gathered efficiently and transformed in a timely basis into useful summaries of the best available evidence. CPGs are the subject of considerable interest in clinical medicine and informatics. Clinicians look to guidelines for credible assistance in resolving problems they face in daily practice.
Abstract 2428: Emodin enhances efficacy of Oxaliplatin and 5 Fluorouracil in colon cancer by promoting cell cycle arrest

Dysregulation of cellular proliferation and evasion of apoptosis are key contributors to colon cancer (CoCa) development. Chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and Oxaliplatin (OxT) which are frequently offered to treat CoCa are known to target cells in S and G2 phase of cell cycle. Cancer cells often overcome the effects of 5FU and OxT by deregulating cell cycle in response to these drugs. Therefore, to improve the cytotoxic effect of these chemotherapeutic agents it is important to keep CoCa cells in S and G2 phase. Hence, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in CoCa cell-cycle progression and chemotherapeutic response could provide strategies for developing effective treatment options. Hence, in this study, we determined the effect of natural agent “Emodin” on CoCa cell-cycle regulation and its ability to increase the efficacy of 5FU and OxT by cell cycle regulation. The effects of Emodin, 5FU, and OxT as a single agent or in combination on CoCa (DLD-1, COLO-201, HCT116 p53WT, and HCT116 p53-/-) cell viability were determined by MTT assays. Combination index of Emodin, 5FU, and OxT were evaluated using Calcusyn. Emodin-induced changes in molecules involved in cell-cycle regulation and proliferation were analyzed via RT-PCR and confirmed by western blot (WB) analysis. Cell-cycle distribution with Emodin treatment alone and in combination with 5FU and OxT were assessed via flow cytometry and WB. Collectively, our data shows that Emodin alone was able to decrease cell survival and induced apoptosis in CoCa cells. Furthermore, cytotoxic ability of 5FU and OxT was increased when combined with Emodin as compared to when these chemotherapeutic drugs were given as single agents Emodin-induced cell-cycle regulation resulted in increased expression of tumor suppressor genes such as p21, p27 and p53, modulated cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase expression, and induced cell-cycle arrest. Emodin also negatively impacted several signaling pathways associated with cell growth and differentiation. Overall, this study demonstrates that Emodin could be a promising adjuvant to either 5-Fluorouracil or Oxaliplatin in the treatment of CoCa. Citation Format: Ian T. Saunders, Dexter Ezeagwu, Naresh Kumar, Hina Mir, Shailesh Singh. Emodin enhances efficacy of Oxaliplatin and 5 Fluorouracil in colon cancer by promoting cell cycle arrest [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2428.
Bayesian Multivariate Probability of Success Using Historical Data with Strict Control of Family-wise Error Rate

Given the cost and duration of phase III and phase IV clinical trials, the development of statistical methods for go/no-go decisions is vital. In this paper, we introduce a Bayesian methodology to compute the probability of success based on the current data of a treatment regimen for the multivariate linear model. Our approach utilizes a Bayesian seemingly unrelated regression model, which allows for multiple endpoints to be modeled jointly even if the covariates between the endpoints are different. Correlations between endpoints are explicitly modeled. This Bayesian joint modeling approach unifies single and multiple testing procedures under a single framework. We develop an approach to multiple testing that asymptotically guarantees strict family-wise error rate control, and is more powerful than frequentist approaches to multiplicity. The method effectively yields those of Ibrahim et al. and Chuang-Stein as special cases, and, to our knowledge, is the only method that allows for robust sample size determination for multiple endpoints and/or hypotheses and the only method that provides strict family-wise type I error control in the presence of multiplicity.
Amos Oz and the politics of identity: A reassessment

If early in his career Amos Oz was regarded as the epitome of the new Israeli or Hebrew, later critics tended to reduce Oz’s image to that of a member of a specific group – Ashkenazi Laborites – th...
Non-collinear spin transfer in Co/Cu/Co multilayers

SUMMARY We have used a matrix version of the Boltzmann equa-tion to study perpendicular transport in submicron mul-tilayers where the magnetizations of the ferromagneticlayers point in diﬀerent directions. Spin-ﬂip scatteringin the leads ensures that a polarized current ﬂows. Theboundary conditions for the Boltzmann equation incor-porate the reﬂection and averaging mechanisms of spintransfer discussed by Slonczewski and Berger. As a re-sult, the conduction electrons and the magnetic momentsof the ferromagnets exert torques on one another. Usingmaterial parameters extracted from experiment, we com-puted the magnetoresistance, spin accumulation, currentpolarization, and magnetization torques for Co/Cu/Costructures similar to those used in experiments. Thetransport data were compared quantitatively with dataobtained at Cornell and Orsay and reasons were sug-gested to explain some discrepancies between theory andexperiment. The magnitudes of the computed torqueswere comparable to the torques that induce magnetiza-tion reversal in the experiments.
Deletion disrupts a conserved antibody epitope in a SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern

Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants with altered antigenicity have emerged and spread internationally. In one lineage of global concern, we identify a transmitted variant with a deletion in its receptor binding domain (RBD) that disrupts an epitope which is conserved across sarbecoviruses. Overcoming antigenic variation by selectively focusing immune pressure on this conserved site may, ultimately, drive viral resistance.
Consumer signals

Consumers’ expenditures reflect their information about employment opportunities, likely future real wage growth, and investment opportunities, as well as current wealth and income. Real, total consumption growth deviations from normal stock market wealth effects lead economic growth in advanced economies in the Americas, in Europe and in AustralAsia. Previous research showed that stock prices and the slope of the term structure of interest rates reflect forecasted economic growth. In this applied article, it is shown that consumer spending deviations improve upon the signals given by the term structure and stock returns, and the combined readings of the ‘Stocks, Bonds and Consumers Leading Index’ of Breeden (2014) are quite competitive with more complex widely used indexes of leading economic indicators published by the Conference Board and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The simplicity and intuition of the stocks, bonds, consumers model makes it quite a helpful structure to think about country by country likely future economic growth, which should be of use to investors, businesses, nonprofits and government entities. Consumer signals for 17 ‘Trillion Dollar Economies’ are presented, showing movements in consumer signals throughout the Great Recession and the Sovereign Debt Crisis.
Datalog Unchained

This is the companion paper of a talk in the Gems of PODS series, that reviews the development, starting at PODS 1988, of a family of Datalog-like languages with procedural, forward chaining semantics, providing an alternative to the classical declarative, model-theoretic semantics. These languages also provide a unified formalism that can express important classes of queries including fixpoint, while, and all computable queries. They can also incorporate in a natural fashion updates and nondeterminism. Datalog variants with forward chaining semantics have been adopted in a variety of settings, including active databases, production systems, distributed data exchange, and data-driven reactive systems.
The effect of carbon dioxide laser irradiation on cranial bone healing. An experimental study.

An experimental study on the effects of carbon dioxide laser irradiation osteotomy of the calvarium of 4-week old rabbits was compared with that of an osteotomy performed with a high speed drill. Histological studies of calvarium cross sections were performed at 2, 4 and 6 weeks following the osteotomies. As early as 2 weeks following high speed drill osteotomy connective tissue bridged the bone edges. By 4 weeks this bridge was thickened and endowed with numerous vessels. At 6 weeks numerous osteoblasts lined the bone edge and connective tissue bridge. Following laser osteotomy the carbonized edges interrupted the connective tissue from bridging the bone edges at 2, 4 and 6 weeks. By 6 weeks following the laser osteotomy connective tissue had grown past the carbonized residue and the healing process proceeded with osteoblast proliferation from points beyond the carbonized residue. The significance of these findings in reference to the reossification process following osteotomies for craniosynostosis and craniofacial surgery, is discussed.
Higher Levels of Inflammation Factors and Greater Insulin Resistance Are Independently Associated with Higher Heart Rate and Lower Heart Rate Variability in Normoglycemic Older Individuals: The Cardiovascular Health Study

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between (1) insulin resistance and inflammation factors with (2) higher heart rate (HR) and lower heart rate variability (HRV) in normoglycemic older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred forty-five adults aged 65 and older with normoglycemia (fasting glucose <100 mg/dL) who participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study. MEASUREMENTS: Serum levels of three inflammation proteins (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and fibrinogen); insulin resistance, quantified according to the homeostasis assessment model (HOMA-IR); HR; and four representative measures of HRV (the standard deviation of normal beat to beat intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (rMSSD), very low frequency power (VLF), and the low- to high-frequency power ratio (LF/HF)) derived from 24-hour Holter recordings. RESULTS: High CRP and IL-6 levels were associated with higher HR and lower SDNN and VLF after adjustment for multiple covariates, including HOMA-IR and clinical cardiovascular disease. High IL-6 was also associated with lower LF/HF. Significant univariate inverse relationships between HOMA-IR and HR and HRV were also found, but the strengths of these relationships were attenuated after adjustment for inflammation factors. CONCLUSION: Increased levels of inflammation markers and HOMA-IR are associated with higher HR and lower HRV. These findings suggest that inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular autonomic decline in older adults.
How Employment-Discrimination Plaintiffs Fare in the Federal Courts of Appeals

Employment-discrimination plaintiffs swim against the tide. Compared to the typical plaintiff, they win a lower proportion of cases during pretrial and after trial. Then, many of their successful cases are appealed. On appeal, they have a harder time in upholding their successes, as well in reversing adverse outcome.This tough story does not describe some tiny corner of the litigation world. Employment-discrimination cases constitute an increasing fraction of the federal civil docket, now reigning as the largest single category of cases at nearly 10 percent.In this article, we use official government data to describe the appellate phase of this important segment of federal litigation. After describing the database, the text tells the appellate story for employment-discrimination actions through graphs and tables, with some general observations followed by a specific lesson.