cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Current Status of the Occupational Health in Luohu District of Shenzhen

[Objective] To learn the current status of the occupational health in Luohu District of Shenzhen.[Methods] According to the national standard and criteria for occupational health,detection was made on the concentration and intensity of the hazardous factors in the enterprises consigned to the CDCP of this district in 2006;physical examination was carried out on the workers exposed to hazardous factors in the enterprises.[Results]80 enterprises were found to have hazardous factors in the detection in 2006,which occupied 10% of all the enterprises in Luohu District;the eligible rate of the dust concentration,chemical factors and noise intensity were 100%,97.2% and 94.2% respectively;the abnormal rate of the physical examination of the workers who were exposed to dust,chemical factors and noise were 0,10.3% and 10% respectively.[Conclusion]Although the eligible rates of the hazardous factors are quite high in the enterprises of Luohu District,the problem shouldn't be ignored and supervision should be enhanced.
Development of the Field Tester for Digital Electricity Meter

The digital energy meter will be widely used because the traditional energy meter can not meet the needs of the energy metering in the digital substation.In allusion to the comparison of the working modes of digital energy meter and traditional energy meter separately as well as the analyzing the error of energy measurement.This paper introduces the clinical check methods of test instrument,the implementation principles and the software and hardware designs of field tester for digital electricity meter.Based on DSP the field tester for digital electricity meter can fully supports IEC 61850-9-1,IEC 61850-9-2 /LE protocols,in which the digital signal source and the standard are arranged inside.Experiments prove that through the closed loop system constructed by this test instrument,error checking and performance testing to digital energy meter can be achieved.
Encouraging dialogue and autonomy in the burn intensive care unit.

A systematic approach to autonomous decision making by patients as part of our standardized bum protocol ensures that our patients are given respect and a sense of control. This approach, which we believe to be ethically and legally sound, has no documented physiologic effect on our patients, but increases the self-determination they exercise and the communication they receive. The designation of a spokesperson to be consulted if the patient becomes unable to speak for himself prevents much anguish while retaining patient autonomy.
MBMC: An Effective Markov Chain Approach for Binning Metagenomic Reads from Environmental Shotgun Sequencing Projects

Metagenomics is a next-generation omics field currently impacting postgenomic life sciences and medicine. Binning metagenomic reads is essential for the understanding of microbial function, compositions, and interactions in given environments. Despite the existence of dozens of computational methods for metagenomic read binning, it is still very challenging to bin reads. This is especially true for reads from unknown species, from species with similar abundance, and/or from low-abundance species in environmental samples. In this study, we developed a novel taxonomy-dependent and alignment-free approach called MBMC (Metagenomic Binning by Markov Chains). Different from all existing methods, MBMC bins reads by measuring the similarity of reads to the trained Markov chains for different taxa instead of directly comparing reads with known genomic sequences. By testing on more than 24 simulated and experimental datasets with species of similar abundance, species of low abundance, and/or unknown species, we report here that MBMC reliably grouped reads from different species into separate bins. Compared with four existing approaches, we demonstrated that the performance of MBMC was comparable with existing approaches when binning reads from sequenced species, and superior to existing approaches when binning reads from unknown species. MBMC is a pivotal tool for binning metagenomic reads in the current era of Big Data and postgenomic integrative biology. The MBMC software can be freely downloaded at http://hulab.ucf.edu/research/projects/metagenomics/MBMC.html .
Nasogastric Tube Feeding for Individuals With Anorexia Nervosa: An Integrative Review.

BACKGROUND: The use of nasogastric (NG) feeding in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) is endorsed by national professional organizations; however, no guidelines currently exist. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this review were to identify and evaluate outcomes of NG feedings for individuals with AN and to develop recommendations for future research, policy, and practice. DESIGN: An integrative review of the research literature was conducted. RESULTS: Of the 19 studies reviewed, all indicated short-term weight gain following NG feeding. Four studies examined adherence; nearly 30% of subjects were nonadherent as evidenced by tube manipulation. Seven studies reported psychiatric outcomes, suggesting NG feeding reduces eating disorder behaviors but not overall symptomology. CONCLUSIONS: NG feeding promotes short-term weight gain; however, long-term outcomes are poorly understood. Future research, using rigorous methods, is still needed to inform practice.
Measurement Issues: Large effect sizes do not mean most people get better – clinical significance and the importance of individual results

Background This paper seeks to compare group statistical analysis with effect size, group measures of clinical significance (Reliable Change Index and normative comparison), and individual analysis of clinical significance. Method Measures of variables important to parenting and child behavior improvement (Parenting Scale, Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory, and Parenting Stress Index [PSI]) were administered pre and post for a 9- to 10-week group Behavioral Parent Training Intervention. Analysis compares traditional group statistical significance testing with group measure of clinical significance and individual analysis of clinical significance. Results All three measures demonstrated statistically significant differences from pre to post, with large effect sizes. Group measures of clinical significance, however, demonstrated meaningful change only on the PSI, while individual analysis showed improvements of 54% of participants at best and 0% at worst. Conclusions Individual analysis of clinical significance provides valuable information in treatment outcomes and should be included as a standard practice in outcomes research.
Improved wear resistance of nanotube- and other carbon-filled PTFE composites

Abstract Microfillers have long been shown to reduce the wear rate of PTFE by up to two orders of magnitude. One hypothesized mechanism resulting in this wear reduction is the interruption of subsurface crack formation, which prevents the formation of delamination debris. Recent studies into nanofillers have shown some promising results, but only for very few types of fillers. Notably, alpha-phase alumina and activated nanocarbon have been shown to impart exceptional wear resistance to PTFE composites, outpacing that provided by the same materials on the microscale. As described here, carboxyl-functionalized carbon nanotubes and mesoporous nanocarbon have both been additionally identified as effective nanoscale fillers, with composites approaching wear rates as low as 10−7 mm3/Nm. It is believed that the functionalized carbon nanotube fillers presented here may combine microscale mechanisms, such as subsurface arrest of crack propagation, with a uniquely nanoscale mechanism as held by the mesoporous nanocarbon, and that the effectiveness of such mechanisms increases with increased filler content.
Neuroprotective strategies following intraparenchymal hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage and, more specifically, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, are devastating disease processes with poor clinical outcomes. Primary injury to the brain results from initial hematoma expansion while secondary hemorrhagic injury occurs from blood-derived products such as hemoglobin, heme, iron, and coagulation factors that overwhelm the brains natural defenses. Novel neuroprotective treatments have emerged that target primary and secondary mechanisms of injury. Nonetheless, translational application of neuroprotectants from preclinical to clinical studies has yet to show beneficial clinical outcomes. This review summarizes therapeutic agents and neuroprotectants in ongoing clinical trials aimed at targeting primary and secondary mechanisms of injury after intraparenchymal hemorrhage.
Receiver echo cancellation with real-time self calibration for passive implanted neuron recorders

This paper presents an architecture for receiver echo cancellation using in-field self-calibration to enable reception of weak signal generated by implanted passive neuron recorders. The echo cancellation enables the use of passive implant transmitter, resulting in low power consumption, and avoids the need for batteries and charge-storage devices at the implant site. A passive, double balanced diode-based mixer architecture is used for the implant transmitter that directly modulates the received carrier with the neuron sensor signal. The transmitted signal is weak compared to the echo that stems from the reflection from the human skull. An echo cancellation scheme is added to the receiver path to suppress the reflected power at transmitted frequency. A built-in-self calibration module defines the characteristic of the cancelling path for each communication cycle. The air gap between transceiver and the brain is assumed to be around 5mm, but variable from measurement to measurement. A receiver with a sensitivity of −123.55 dBm is designed. According to simulations, a neuron potential as low as 27 μVp-p is detectable with an ideal canceller. The echo signal is canceled up to 200 dB for an ideal canceller. The tolerable error for non-ideal canceller is investigated and compared with the ideal case.
A New Species of Logperch Endemic to Tennessee (Percidae: Etheostomatinae: Percina)

Abstract Percina apina, the Tennessee Logperch, is described as a new species endemic to Tennessee and distributed in the Duck River system and Whiteoak Creek. The earliest collection records for Percina apina date to 1971 and the species was identified as Percina burtoni, the Blotchside Logperch. A phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) published in 2006 showed that populations identified as Percina burtoni in the Duck River system and Whiteoak Creek were a new and undescribed species. In this study, we test the hypothesis that Percina burtoni is composed of multiple species through analyses of mtDNA, nuclear genetic variation, and traditional meristic trait morphology. Our analyses of morphological divergence, nuclear genotypes, mtDNA gene trees, and comparisons with other sister species pairs of logperches confirm the distinctiveness of Percina apina. Morphologically, Percina apina is distinguished from Percina burtoni through higher average numbers of lateral line scales (93.1 versus 89.9)...
Mechanistic Basis for ATP-Dependent Inhibition of Glutamine Synthetase by Tabtoxinine-β-lactam.

Tabtoxinine-β-lactam (TβL), also known as wildfire toxin, is a time- and ATP-dependent inhibitor of glutamine synthetase produced by plant pathogenic strains of Pseudomonas syringae. Here we demonstrate that recombinant glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli phosphorylates the C3-hydroxyl group of the TβL 3-(S)-hydroxy-β-lactam (3-HβL) warhead. Phosphorylation of TβL generates a stable, noncovalent enzyme–ADP–inhibitor complex that resembles the glutamine synthetase tetrahedral transition state. The TβL β-lactam ring remains intact during enzyme inhibition, making TβL mechanistically distinct from traditional β-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin. Our findings could enable the design of new 3-HβL transition state inhibitors targeting enzymes in the ATP-dependent carboxylate-amine ligase superfamily with broad therapeutic potential in many disease areas.
Elenchus, Recollection, and the Method of Hypothesis in the Meno

The Meno is often interpreted as an illustration of Plato’s decision to replace elenchus with recollection and the method of hypothesis. My paper challenges this view and defends instead two theses: (1) that far from replacing elenchus, the method of hypothesis incorporates and uses elenctic arguments in order to test and build its own steps; and (2) that recollection is not a method of search on a par with elenchus and the method of hypothesis, but is rather primarily a theory that accounts for the metaphysical horizon within which the method of hypothesis, coupled with elenchus and perhaps other dialectical methods, can lead us from opinions to knowledge.
Importance of Patient-Provider Communication to Adherence in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.

Effective communication between pediatric diabetes patients and their providers has the potential to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes, as well as improve diabetes-related self-management. In this review, we highlight the importance of communication between patients and providers, focusing on the effect of communication on adherence in the high-risk population of adolescents with type 1 diabetes. We synthesize the literature describing patient–provider communication in pediatric populations and provide implications for practice that focus on the most relevant, modifiable factors for improving self-management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
SOME REMARKS ON THE NOTION OF “DERIVATIVES”

Publisher Summary Edwards and Wayment have made some initial attempts at defining a derivative and proving a fundamental theorem of calculus. However, they also point out some serious shortcomings of that definition. This chapter discusses the development and shortcomings of this derivative and presents the development of the notion of derivative in an attempt to obtain a derivative with more desirable qualities. f integrable implies that G is strongly approximated from f, which implies that G is weakly approximated from f, which implies that G is absolutely continuous with respect to K in the Tucker–Wayment sense.
Quantitative Assays for Cell Fusion

Cell fusion would seem to be obviously recognizable upon visual inspection, and many studies employ a simple microscopic fusion index to quantify the rate and extent of fusion in cell culture. However, when cells are not in monolayers or when there is a large background of multinucleation through failed cytokinesis, cell-cell fusion can only be proven by mixing of cell contents. Furthermore, determination of the microscopic fusion index must generally be carried out manually, creating opportunities for unintended observer bias and limiting the numbers of cells assayed and therefore the statistical power of the assay. Strategies for making assays dependent on fusion and independent of visual observation are critical to increasing the accuracy and throughput of screens for molecules that control cell fusion. A variety of in vitro biochemical and nonbiochemical techniques have been developed to assay and monitor fusion events in cultured cells. In this chapter, we briefly discuss several in vitro fusion assays, nearly all based on systems of two components that interact to create a novel assayable signal only after cells fuse. We provide details for the use of one example of such a system, intracistronic complementation of beta-galactosidase activity by mutants of Escherichia coli lacZ, which allows for either cell-by-cell microscopic assay of cell fusion or quantitative and kinetic detection of cell fusions in whole populations. In addition, we describe a combination of gene knock-down protocols with this assay to study factors required for myoblast fusion.
The stages of HIV infection: waiting times and infection transmission probabilities

We use stochastic models to estimate the waiting time distributions for progressive stages of HIV infection and to estimate stage-specific infection transmission probabilities between exposed and infected persons. We partition the infection period into four progressive stages: 1. infected but antibody negative; 2. antibody positive but asymptomatic; 3. pre-AIDS symptoms and/or abnormal hematologic indicator; and 4. clinical AIDS. We also define a fifth stage, death due to AIDS. A time-dependent Markov model is fitted to data on 45 persons with known time of HIV exposure to estimate the waiting time in stage 1, i.e., the pre-HIV-antibody period. The mean pre-HIV-antibody period is estimated to be 2.6 ± 0.2 months. A time-homogeneous Markov model was previously used to estimate the waiting time distributions for stages 2–3 from data on a sample of 513 homosexual and bisexual men from San Francisco. By combining this model with the model for stage 1, we estimate the mean AIDS incubation period, i.e., the waiting time in stages 1–3, as 9.8 ± 0.7 years. The estimated mean HIV infectious period, i.e., the waiting time in stages 1–4, is 11.8 ± 0.8 years. The estimated AIDS incubation period distribution is combined with a stochastic transmission model to estimate the stage-specific infection transmission rates from a sample of 45 heterosexual sex partners of persons with AIDS. The probability that an exposed person will be infected by a single sexual contact with an infected person in stage 4 is estimated to be 0.0057 ± 0.0016. For stage 3, this probability is estimated to be 0.0007 ± 0.0002, and it is estimated to be very near to 0 for stage 2. Thus, an exposed person is about eight times more likely to be infected by a person who has AIES than by one who has pre-AIDS symptoms (p < 0.001). The stochastic models that we developed can be extended to assess the risk of HIV transmission for different levels of important risk factors when more detailed data become available.
A Two Stage Identification Approach in Updating the Analytical Model of Buildings

Ambient response measurements were made on an eighteen-story building at three different stages of construction to detect any changes in the frequencies, mode shapes, and stiffness with construction. The first nine frequencies and corresponding mode shapes, for each stage of construction, are found. A comparison is made among these mode shapes and frequencies and with the mode shapes and frequencies of an analytical model incorporating beams, columns, shear walls, panels and diagonal elements. The added effects, on frequencies and mode shapes, of nonstructural elements such as stairs, elevators, claddings, and partition walls are studied. Using Improved Statistical Structural Identification, an attempt is made to study the stiffening effect of non-structural elements by updating the stiffness matrix of the building.
Microstructure and property tailoring of castable nanostructured alloys through thermomechanical treatments

Abstract Three types of microstructures, i.e., tempered-martensite (TM), ferrite (F), and dual-phase (TM + F), were developed in a castable nanostructured alloy that favors a high density of nanoprecipitates compared with the precipitates in current reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic steels. The effect of the distinct microstructures on tensile properties, Charpy impact toughness, and thermal helium desorption behavior was investigated with the full TM structure as a reference. The results indicated that the F domain in the TM + F structure governed the strength and slightly impaired the impact toughness. The full F structure exhibited the highest strength without compromising ductility, but it noticeably diminished impact toughness. All microstructures had a dominant helium desorption peak at ∼1070 °C. The higher density of nanoprecipitates and complex boundaries and dislocations in the TM + F structure enhanced the secondary helium desorption peak and extended the shoulder peak, in contrast to the full TM structure with an enlarged desorption peak associated with the ferrite-to-austenite transformation at ∼810–850 °C and the full F structure with a dominant desorption peak related to bubble migration at ∼1070 °C. These results suggest that components fabricated from functionally graded microstructures could be engineered to exploit the advantages of different microstructures for demanding application requirements.
Can behavioral tools improve online student outcomes? Experimental evidence from a massive open online course

Abstract In order to address poor outcomes for online students, I leverage insights from behavioral economics to design three software tools including (1) a commitment device, (2) an alert tool, and (3) a distraction blocking tool. I test the impact of these tools in a massive open online course (MOOC). Relative to students in the control group, students in the commitment device treatment spend 24% more time working on the course, receive course grades that are 0.29 standard deviations higher, and are 40% more likely to complete the course. In contrast, outcomes for students in the alert and distraction blocking treatments are statistically indistinguishable from the control.
Bilateral Transorbital and Transnasal Endoscopic Resection of a Frontal Sinus Osteoblastoma and Orbital Mucocele: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Objective Describe a novel treatment approach to a rare bony neoplasm in the frontal sinus. Study design Case report. Methods Retrospective chart review of an osteoblastoma of the frontal sinuses complicated by a right orbital mucocle. Demographic, endoscopic, radiographic, pathologic, and surgical data were collected for synthesis and review. MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from 1977 to 2017 to review publications of surgical management of frontal sinus neoplasms. Results A single female patient with a large frontal sinus osteoblastoma was successfully treated with a bilateral transorbital and transnasal approach. The right orbital mucocele was marsupialized into the frontal sinus. Gross total resection of the tumor was achieved, with complete resolution of the presurgical morbidity. The surgery was tolerated well without iatrogenic injury or sequela. Conclusion Frontal sinus osteoblastoma is a rare condition. Complete surgical excision is considered curative. Various endoscopic and open approaches have been described. Here we show the feasibility and efficacy of a multiportal strategy in the successful management of a large frontal sinus osteoblastoma complicated by a right orbital mucocele.
Bi-directional drug-microbiome interactions of anti-diabetics.

Abstract Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a global epidemic. Although several drugs are available to manage T2D, problems associated with person-to-person variability in drug efficacy and potential side-effects remain unresolved. Owing to the emerging role of the gut microbiome in obesity and T2D, the interaction between gut microbes and anti-diabetic drugs and its influence on drugs' functions remains of immediate research interest. On one hand, drugs can manipulate gut microbiome composition and metabolic capacity. Conversely, the metabolic activities of the microbiome and its metabolites can also influence drug metabolism and effects. Hence, understanding this bi-directional drug-microbiome interaction and how it influences the clinical outcomes of antidiabetic drugs can pave the way to develop next-generation strategies to ameliorate diabetes. This review presents evidences demonstrating the putative interactions between anti-diabetic drugs and the gut microbiome, and discusses the potential of microbiome modulators to manipulate drug-microbiome interactions and the drug metabolism.
Training Generative Adversarial Networks with Bidirectional Backpropagation

Training generative adversarial networks with the new bidirectional backpropagation algorithm improved performance compared with ordinary unidirectional backpropagation. Bidirectional backpropagation trains a multilayer neural network in the backward direction as well as in the forward direction over the same weights and neurons. The result approximates a set-level inverse mapping that tends to improve the learning of the forward classification mapping. We compared bidirectional backpropagation training of the discriminator with unidirectional training for the standard vanilla GAN on MNIST data and a deep convolutional GAN on CIFAR-10 image data. We also compared B-BP and unidirectional training for a Wasserstein GAN on both MNIST and CIFAR-10 data. Bidirectional training substantially improved the inception score of the vanilla GAN's generated digit images for MNIST data. It increased the vanilla GAN's inception score by 22.3% and greatly reduced the GAN's incidence of mode collapse. Bidirectional training improved the inception score of the deep-convolutional GAN's generated samples by 3.3% on the CIFAR-10 data set. Bidirectional training also increased the Wasserstein GAN's inception score by 4.4% on the MNIST data and by 10.0% on the CIFAR-10 image data.
Severe Illnesses Associated With Outbreaks of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza in Adults

Background Recent reports have described the contribution of adult respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections to the use of advanced healthcare resources and death. Methods Data regarding patients aged ≥18 years admitted to any of Maryland's 50 acute-care hospitals were evaluated over 12 consecutive years (2001-2013). We examined RSV and influenza (flu) surveillance data from the US National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and used this information to define RSV and flu outbreak periods in the Maryland area. Outbreak periods consisted of consecutive individual weeks during which at least 10% of RSV and/or flu diagnostic tests were positive. We examined relationships of RSV and flu outbreaks to occurrence of 4 advanced medical outcomes (hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, intubated mechanical ventilation, and death) due to medically attended acute respiratory illness (MAARI). Results Occurrences of all 4 MAARI-related hospital advanced medical outcomes were consistently greater for all adult ages during RSV, flu, and combined RSV-flu outbreak periods compared to nonoutbreak periods and tended to be greatest in adults aged ≥65 years during combined RSV-flu outbreak periods. Rate ratios for all 4 MAARI-related advanced medical outcomes ranged from 1.04 to 1.38 during the RSV, flu, or combined RSV-flu outbreaks compared to the nonoutbreak periods, with all 95% lower confidence limits >1. Conclusions Both RSV and flu outbreaks were associated with surges in MAARI-related advanced medical outcomes (hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, intubated mechanical ventilation, and death) for adults of all ages.
Abstract P3024: Tangential Wall Stress In The Thoracic Aorta Affects The Structure And Function Of Associated Perivascular Adipose Tissue

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) dynamically modifies contractile function of the blood vessel it surrounds (outside-in signaling). Sparse evidence points to inside-out signaling, i.e. the blood ...
Topical tacrolimus therapy in the management of lower extremity ulcers due to prolidase deficiency.

Prolidase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cutaneous ulcers, facial dysmorphism, recurrent infections, and intellectual disability. We report a unique case of a 6-year-old boy with prolidase deficiency and Crohn's disease who presented with lower extremity ulcers. Cutaneous ulcers due to prolidase deficiency are historically resistant to treatment, and we report success with the novel use of topical tacrolimus.
Prediction of Recurrence Patterns from Hepatic Parenchymal Disease After Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are associated with inflammatory hepatic parenchymal disease (HPD) and increased risk for recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The independent impact of HPD on recurrence patterns has not been well defined. The nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) was used to quantify HPD including steatosis and fibrosis for all patients with completely resected CRLM between April 2003 and March 2007. Clinicopathologic factors, perioperative history, and outcomes were compared with the NAS. Fisher’s exact test was used to examine the association between severe HPD (NAS ≥ 3) with clinical and perioperative characteristics. Kaplan–Meier methods were used to estimate recurrence-free survival (RFS). The cumulative incidences of recurrence [any intrahepatic recurrence (IHR), extrahepatic recurrence only (EHR), and death without recurrence (DWR)] were estimated using competing risks methods. Among the 357 patients included in this study, microsteatosis was noted in 124 (35%) patients, severe HPD in 31 (9%), steatohepatitis in 14 (4%), and sinusoidal injury in 36 (10%). After median follow-up of 127 months (range 4–175 months), 10-year RFS was 22% [95% confidence interval (CI) 17–27%]. Ten-year cumulative incidence for IHR, EHR, and DWR was 37%, 30%, and 12%, respectively. After controlling for confounders, NAS ≥ 3 was independently associated with higher risk of IHR [hazard ratio (HR) 1.76, 95% CI 1.07–2.90, p = 0.027] and lower risk of EHR (HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04–0.75, p = 0.019) on multivariable analysis. Severe HPD was associated with increased IHR risk and decreased EHR risk. Future investigation into whether improving HPD from reversible etiologies can reduce the risk for IHR is warranted.
Knockout of P2rx7 purinergic receptor attenuates cyst growth in a rat model of ARPKD.

The severity of polycystic kidney diseases (PKD) depends on the counterbalancing of genetic predisposition and environmental factors exerting permissive or protective influence on cyst development....
Efficient Network Intrusion Detection Using PCA-Based Dimensionality Reduction of Features

Designing a machine learning based network intrusion detection system (IDS) with high-dimensional features can lead to prolonged classification processes. This is while low-dimensional features can reduce these processes. Moreover, classification of network traffic with imbalanced class distributions has posed a significant drawback on the performance attainable by most well-known classifiers. With the presence of imbalanced data, the known metrics may fail to provide adequate information about the performance of the classifier. This study first uses Principal Component Analysis (PCA) as a feature dimensionality reduction approach. The resulting low-dimensional features are then used to build various classifiers such as Random Forest (RF), Bayesian Network, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA) for designing an IDS. The experimental findings with low-dimensional features in binary and multi-class classification show better performance in terms of Detection Rate (DR), F-Measure, False Alarm Rate (FAR), and Accuracy. Furthermore, in this paper, we apply a Multi-Class Combined performance metric Combi ned Mc with respect to class distribution through incorporating FAR, DR, Accuracy, and class distribution parameters. In addition, we developed a uniform distribution based balancing approach to handle the imbalanced distribution of the minority class instances in the CICIDS2017 network intrusion dataset. We were able to reduce the CICIDS2017 dataset's feature dimensions from 81 to 10 using PCA, while maintaining a high accuracy of 99.6% in multi-class and binary classification.
Is “the time ripe” for quantitative research on misconduct in science?

Misconduct in science is a timely and substantively important problem in the social study of science. But in the absence of comprehensive and reliable data needed for analysis, formidable obstacles...
How advanced practice registered nurse practice barriers impact health care access in Michigan.

ABSTRACT Despite the Affordable Care Act increasing the number of insured individuals in Michigan, many individuals cannot access care as the state continues to have a provider shortage that is likely to get worse. It is well documented that when individuals lack primary care access, their health suffers. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) could help reduce the state's health care shortage, as the care they provide is safe, cost effective, and high quality. Unfortunately, Michigan's APRN practice restrictions limit these professionals from autonomously providing care to the underserved and rural populations that need them the most. Indeed, Michigan is behind other states that offer full practice authority to APRNs, and its health outcomes reflect this stance. Eliminating the restrictive practice environment in Michigan will give citizens better access to primary care.
Pulmonary artery and lung parenchymal growth following early versus delayed stent interventions in a swine pulmonary artery stenosis model.

OBJECTIVES Compare lung parenchymal and pulmonary artery (PA) growth and hemodynamics following early and delayed PA stent interventions for treatment of unilateral branch PA stenosis (PAS) in swine. BACKGROUND How the pulmonary circulation remodels in response to different durations of hypoperfusion and how much growth and function can be recovered with catheter directed interventions at differing time periods of lung development is not understood. METHODS A total of 18 swine were assigned to four groups: Sham (n = 4), untreated left PAS (LPAS) (n = 4), early intervention (EI) (n = 5), and delayed intervention (DI) (n = 5). EI had left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenting at 5 weeks (6 kg) with redilation at 10 weeks. DI had stenting at 10 weeks. All underwent right heart catheterization, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and histology at 20 weeks (55 kg). RESULTS EI decreased the extent of histologic changes in the left lung as DI had marked alveolar septal and bronchovascular abnormalities (p = .05 and p < .05 vs. sham) that were less prevalent in EI. EI also increased left lung volumes and alveolar counts compared to DI. EI and DI equally restored LPA pulsatility, R heart pressures, and distal LPA growth. EI and DI improved, but did not normalize LPA stenosis diameter (LPA/DAo ratio: Sham 1.27 ± 0.11 mm/mm, DI 0.88 ± 0.10 mm/mm, EI 1.01 ± 0.09 mm/mm) and pulmonary blood flow distributions (LPA-flow%: Sham 52 ± 5%, LPAS 7 ± 2%, DI 44 ± 3%, EI 40 ± 2%). CONCLUSION In this surgically created PAS model, EI was associated with improved lung parenchymal development compared to DI. Longer durations of L lung hypoperfusion did not detrimentally affect PA growth and R heart hemodynamics. Functional and anatomical discrepancies persist despite successful stent interventions that warrant additional investigation.
The impact of increased utilization of HIV drugs on longevity and medical expenditure: An assessment based on aggregate US time-series data

The objective of this Special Report is to estimate the medical cost per life-year gained from increased utilization of HIV drugs by estimating the impact of increased drug utilization on the life expectancy and drug and hospital expenditure of HIV/AIDS patients, using aggregate (US national-level) data for the period 1982–2001.
WHEN DOES TOO LITTLE, WHEN DOES TOO MUCH CARBON DIOXIDE BECOME TOXIC?

In experimental settings, carbon dioxide (CO2) blood levels affect the perfusion of various tissues. Hypocapnia-induced vasoconstriction impairs blood supply and severe hypocapnia may cause DNA fragmentation in cerebral neurons. In contrast, hypercapnia, acting as a vasodilator, increases mesenteric, renal and cerebral blood flow. Hypercapnia antagonises hyperoxia-induced retinal vasoconstriction but also augments oxygen-induced retinal microvascular degeneration that precedes proliferative retinopathy. In animal models of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury, hypercapnia improves compliance and attenuates alveolar neutrophil infiltration. Peripheral microvessel diameter, blood-flow velocity, and global cardiac output appear to increase with graded arterial hypercapnia up to 80–100 mm Hg, whereas all of these variables start to decrease at higher CO2 values. These findings are not apt to establish a safe range for target CO2 levels in ventilated preterm infants. Randomised trials of permissive hypercapnia in preterm infants cover an overall range from 35 to 65 mm Hg. A meta-analysis of all three trials published to date demonstrates the lack of any significant benefit or harm with respect to long-term outcomes such as death, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, intravascular haemorrhage (IVH), periventricular leucomalacia (PVL), or neurodevelopmental impairment. In contrast, circumstantial but solid evidence suggests that moderately low CO2 levels (
One carbon metabolism and early development: a diet-dependent destiny

One carbon metabolism (OCM) is critical for early development, as it provides one carbon (1C) units for the biosynthesis of DNA, proteins, and lipids and epigenetic modification of the genome. Epigenetic marks established early in life can be maintained and exert lasting impacts on gene expression and functions later in life. Animal and human studies have increasingly demonstrated that prenatal 1C nutrient deficiencies impair fetal growth, neurodevelopment, and cardiometabolic parameters in childhood, while sufficient maternal 1C nutrient intake is protective against these detrimental outcomes. However, recent studies also highlight the potential risk of maternal 1C nutrient excess or imbalance in disrupting early development. Further studies are needed to delineate the dose–response relationship among prenatal 1C nutrient exposure, epigenetic modifications, and developmental outcomes.
Infective Endocarditis and Stroke: Active Embolization Risk Monitoring by Transcranial Doppler (TCD/TCCS)

Transcranial Doppler can play a role in the diagnosis and management of cerebrovascular complications of infective endocarditis. Demonstration of high-intensity transient signals on emboli monitoring using TCDs may be the only diagnostic evidence of embolization in a patient with clinical suspicion of infective endocarditis but no overt evidence of vegetation. In diagnosed cases, presence of active embolization on TCDs may portend a higher risk of ischemic stroke. Persistent embolization despite medical therapy may predict need for early surgical interventions. Emerging evidence suggests the association of embolic phenomena on TCDs with other neurological complications of infective endocarditis like mycotic aneurysms, microbleeds, and abscesses.
Cloning of the breakpoint junction of the translocation 14;19 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Human B-cell lymphocytic neoplasms are often associated with specific cytogenetic abnormalities that correlate with their histological and immunologic phenotypes. The genes located at the breakpoints of these recurring chromosomal translocations appear to be integrally involved in the pathogenesis of the corresponding B-cell neoplasms. Our laboratory has recently reported that t(14;19) (q32;ql3.1) is a recurring translocation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We have analyzed the leukemic cells from two such patients in detail using various probes from the very complex immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (IGH). In both cases, the t(14;19) was part of a three-way translocation with loss of the derivative chromosome containing the q terminus of the affected chromosome 14.
Geometric Modeling of Inclusions as Ellipsoids

Nonmetallic inclusions in gas turbine disk alloys can have a significant detrimental impact on fatigue life. Because large inclusions that lead to anomalously low lives occur infrequently, probabilistic approaches can be utilized to avoid the excessively conservative assumption of lifing to a large inclusion in a high stress location. A prerequisite to modeling the impact of inclusions on the fatigue life distribution is a characterization of the inclusion occurrence rate and size distribution. To help facilitate this process, a geometric simulation of the inclusions was devised. To make the simulation problem tractable, the irregularly sized and shaped inclusions were modeled as arbitrarily oriented, three independent dimensioned, ellipsoids. Random orientation of the ellipsoid is accomplished through a series of three orthogonal rotations of axes. In this report, a set of mathematical models for the following parameters are described: the intercepted area of a randomly sectioned ellipsoid, the dimensions and orientation of the intercepted ellipse, the area of a randomly oriented sectioned ellipse, the depth and width of a randomly oriented sectioned ellipse, and the projected area of a randomly oriented ellipsoid. These parameters are necessary to determine an inclusion s potential to develop a propagating fatigue crack. Without these mathematical models, computationally expensive search algorithms would be required to compute these parameters.
Performance of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Lamps and Luminaires in Long-Term Service

AbstractSeven years of experience operating upper-room ultraviolet irradiation systems (UVGI) in 14 homeless shelters in six cities has taught the Tuberculosis Ultraviolet Shelter Study (TUSS) many valuable lessons about maintaining uninterrupted UV services and acceptable intervals between UV lamp changes and cleaning activities. One year (9,000 hours) of continuous illumination resulted in a reduction in UVC output of the two types of low pressure mercury lamps by 17 percent for the quartz, instant start tubular lamp and 25 percent for the preheat compact lamps. The reduction over time was due to metal accumulations on the inside of the glass plus increasing opaqueness (solarization) due to UV irradiation. Cleaning frequency was found to be highly site-specific. Lamp failure was infrequent and within the manufacturers' stated life period.
Characterization of Nucleic Acid of Pichinde Virus

The nucleic acid of Pichinde virus was found to be single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) as determined by sensitivity to ribonuclease, by alkaline degradation, by buoyant density in cesium sulfate, and by analysis of the base composition. The RNA of the virion could be separated into five components which had sedimentation coefficients corresponding to 31S, 28S, 22S, 18S and 4 to 6S. The 28S, 18S, and possibly the 4 to 6S RNAs appear to be derived from host cell components incorporated into the virion, whereas the 31S and 22S components appear to represent the genome of the virus.
Formalism challenges of the cougaar model driven architecture

The Cognitive Agent Architecture (Cougaar) is one of the most sophisticated distributed agent architectures developed today. As part of its research and evolution, Cougaar is being studied for application to large, logistics-based applications for the Department of Defense (DoD). Anticipating future complex applications of Cougaar, we are investigating the Model Driven Architecture (MDA) approach to understand how effective it would be for increasing productivity in Cougar-based development efforts. Recognizing the sophistication of the Cougaar development environment and the limitations of transformation technologies for agents, we have systematically developed an approach that combines component assembly in the large and transformation in the small. This paper describes some of the key elements that went into the Cougaar Model Driven Architecture approach and the characteristics that drove the approach.
Feedforward Neural Nets

The sections in this article are 1 Neural Network Elements and Notation 2 The Literature 3 Roles for Artificial Neural Networks 4 Mathematical Setup for Feedforward Neural Networks 5 Basic Properties of the Representation by Neural Networks 6 The Representational Power of a Single-Hidden-Layer Network 7 Training a Neural Network: Background and Error Surface 8 Training: Backpropagation 9 Descent Algorithms 10 Trends and Open Problems
Early Evaluation of the IBM p690

Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently received 27 32-way IBM pSeries 690 SMP nodes. In this paper, we describe our initial evaluation of the p690 architecture, focusing on the performance of benchmarks and applications that are representative of the expected production workload.
Competitive kinetic processes in the thermal rearrangement of 1,1-difluoro-2-(dideuteriomethylene)-cyclopropane

The synthesis of 1,1-difluoro-2-(dideuteriomethylene)-cyclopropane is reported along with the kinetics of its competing, reversible, first order rearrangements: (a) the degenerate rearrangement to 1,1-difluoro-3,3-dideuterio-2-methylene-cyclopropane, and (b) its rearrangement to 2,2-dideuterio-1-(difluoromethylene)-cyclopropane. The observed experimental ratio of these two rate constants, 2.3, is consistent with Borden's theoretically predicted ratio of 3.
Cholecystokinin-8 increases the satiety ratio in diabetic rats more than cholecystokinin-33.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a satiety peptide and a potential anti-diabetic agent, which exists in different forms (e.g. CCK-8 and CCK-33). In normal rats, CCK-8 and 33 stimulate insulin secretion similarly but their satiety effects vary. In diabetic rats, those effects require testing. Here, we compared size of the first meal (10% sucrose test diet), intermeal interval (IMI, time between first and second meal) and satiety ratio (SR, amount of satiation produced by every unit of food consumed in the first meal) by CCK-8 or 33 (0, 1, 3, 5 nmol/kg) intraperitoneally in streptozotocin-injected (diabetic) and citrate buffer-injected (control) rats. We found that both peptides reduce meal size in diabetic and control rats with no difference between groups, CCK-33 (5 nmol) prolonged IMI in diabetic rats and CCK-8 and CCK-33 increased satiety ratio in control rats, but only CCK-8 increased it in the diabetic group. Therefore, CCK-8 increases the satiety ratio in diabetic rats more than CCK-33.
Anatomical location of carotid cave aneurysms

Seven carotid cave aneurysms were studied with various imaging techniques and at surgery. The carotid cave aneurysm projects medially with most of it overlying the sella turcica. The aneurysm partially overlies the anterior loop of the cavernous carotid artery and the anterior loop always partially overlies the sella turcica in these cases. The site of the cave aneurysm corresponds well with an area of the carotid artery observed on dissection studies which is adjacent to the sella. This parasellar area differs from the carotid cave in that it is below the dural ring and is not reinforced by the bone of the carotid sulcus. The findings explain the medial projection of the cave aneurysm in that this is the direction of least resistance which in turn also corresponds with the site of maximal force of the flowing blood.