cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Classifier Combination Types for Biometric Applications

In this paper we present four types of classifier combinations determined by the numbers of trained combining functions and their input parameters. We discuss the usage of these combination types in biometric applications and give an example of suboptimal combination as a result of choosing non-appropriate combination type. Finally, we present results of combinations in biometric identification systems utilizing similar methods, but related to different combination types.
100 MHz to 20 GHz monolithic single-pole, two-, three-, and four-throw GaAs PIN diode switches

Monolithic GaAs p-i-n diode single-pole, two-, three-, and four-throw switch circuits provide low noise figure and insertion loss performance over a two-decade+one-octave bandwidth. From 100 MHz to 20 GHz, the measured noise figure and insertion loss for the three switch types are less than 1 dB in the through path, with greater than 45 dB of isolation in the off paths. These state-of-the-art results are obtained using a vertical p-i-n diode process on metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) material. Each of the three p-i-n diode switch types has been designed with and without on-chip bias networks. The authors compare the performance demonstrated by this family of six single-pole, two-, three-, and four-throw switch circuits. >
Are ‘informative presuppositions’ presuppositions?

Presuppositions are contents of utterances that must be mutually known by the interlocutors, i.e. the speaker and the addressees, in order for an utterance of a sentence with the presupposition trigger to be judged to be acceptable. However, a substantial subset of contents traditionally taken to be presuppositions does not exhibit this property and can instead be used to inform the addressee about the supposedly presuppositional content. Classical analyses of these so-called ‘informative presuppositions’ nevertheless assume that they are associated with a common ground requirement but one that can be accommodated. According to an alternative characterization, ‘informative presuppositions’ are not associated with a common ground requirement but are informative like Potts' conventional implicatures; such a characterization does not need to make reference to accommodation. The debate about the characterization of ‘informative presuppositions’ has been based almost exclusively on judgments about English provided by native speaker researchers. This paper explores how results from research with theoretically untrained speakers (including one-on-one elicitation and experiments) as well as corpus studies can bear on this debate. I argue that such results, though tenuous, support the alternative characterization at least for some ‘informative presuppositions’ and emphasize the merit of bringing data collected through a wide range of methodologies to bear on theoretical research on meaning.
Construction of Lyapunov Certificates for Partial Stability Problems Using Sum of Squares Techniques

A methodology is proposed that allows for algorithmic construction of Lyapunov functions for problems concerning the stability of an equilibrium with respect to part of the variables. This methodology utilizes the previously developed sum of squares technique to determine Lyapunov certificates. Conditions for stability with respect to part of the variables are developed that allow for Lyapunov functions to be determined in terms of a sum of squares. Some examples are presented that highlight these new conditions.
Lyme disease –induced polyradiculopathy mimicking amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Importance: To describe a case of predominantly motor polyradiculopathy secondary to Lyme disease that can mimic motor neuron disease and has been rarely reported. Observations: A 64-year-old man presented with a 1month history of rapidly progressive weakness involving bulbar, upper limb and lower limb muscles. The physical examination showed widespread weakness, atrophy, fasciculation, and brisk reflexes. The initial electrodiagnostic test showed widespread active and chronic denervation findings. The initial physical and electrodiagnostic findings were suggestive of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). However, blood serology indicated possible Lyme disease. Thus, the patient was treated with doxycycline. The clinical and electrodiagnostic findings were resolved with the treatment. Conclusion and Relevance: The diagnosis of Lyme disease can be very challenging and it can mimic other neurological disorders such as ALS or Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Careful and detailed examination and investigation are required to confirm the diagnosis and to prevent misleading inaccurate diagnoses.
Seasonal variation of high elevation groundwater recharge as indicator of climate response

Summary High elevation groundwater basins in the western United States are facing changes in the amount and timing of snowmelt due to climate change. The objective of this study is to examine seasonal variability in a high elevation aquifer (Martis Valley Watershed near Truckee, CA) by analyzing (1) tritium and helium isotopes to determine groundwater sources and age, (2) dissolved noble gases to determine recharge temperatures and excess air concentrations. Recharge temperatures calculated at pressures corresponding to well head elevations are similar to mean annual air temperatures at lower elevations of the watershed, suggesting that most recharge is occurring at these elevations, after equilibrating in the vadose zone. The groundwater flow depth required to increase the water temperature from the recharge temperature to the discharge temperature was calculated for each well assuming a typical geothermal gradient. Groundwater samples contain large amounts of excess helium from terrigenic sources, including mantle helium and radiogenic helium. Terrigenic helium and tritium concentrations are used to determine the amount of mixing between the younger and older groundwater sources. Many of the wells sampled show a mix of groundwater ages ranging from >1000s of years old to groundwater with tritium concentrations that are in agreement with tritium in modern day precipitation. Higher seasonal variability found in wells with younger groundwater and shallower flow depths indicates that the recent recharge most vulnerable to climate impacts helps to supplement the older, less sustainable waters in the aquifer during periods of increased production.
Mechanism of Fluid Transport by Epithelia

The sections in this article are: 1 Structure-Function Correlations 2 Isosmotic Fluid Transport: Approximation or Reality 3 Movement of Water Through Membranes and Tight Junctions 4 Models of Epithelial Fluid Transport 5 Water Permeability of Epithelial Tissues 5.1 Cell Membrane Water Permeability 5.2 Route of Transepithelial Fluid Flow 6 Osmotic Driving Force Required for Transepithelial Flow 6.1 Transcellular Osmosis 6.2 Mechanism of Fluid Exit From Basolateral Spaces 6.3 Transjunctional Flows of Water and Ions 7 Role of Submucosa in Fluid Transport 7.1 Strength of Transport 8 Fluid Transport and Regulation of Cellular Volume
DNA synthesis in the fertilizing hamster sperm nucleus: sperm template availability and egg cytoplasmic control.

To assess the role of the availability of sperm nuclear templates in the regulation of DNA synthesis, we correlated the morphological status of the fertilizing hamster sperm nucleus with its ability to synthesize DNA after in vivo and in vitro fertilization. Fertilized hamster eggs were incubated in 3H-thymidine for varying periods before autoradiography. None of the decondensed sperm nuclei nor early (Stage I) male pronuclei present after in vivo or in vitro fertilization showed incorporation of label, even in polyspermic eggs in which more advanced pronuclei were labeled. In contrast, medium-to-large pronuclei (mature Stage II pronuclei) consistently incorporated 3H-thymidine. To investigate the contribution of egg cytoplasmic factors to the regulation of DNA synthesis, we examined the timing of DNA synthesis by microinjected sperm nuclei in eggs in which sperm nuclear decondensation and male pro nucleus formation were accelerated experimentally by manipulation of sperm nuclear disulfide bond content. Although sperm nuclei with few or no disulfide bonds decondense and form male pronuclei faster than nuclei rich in disulfide bonds, the onset of DNA synthesis was not advanced. We conclude the the fertilizing sperm nucleus does not become available to serve as a template for DNA synthesis until it has developed into a mature Stage II pronucleus, and that, as with decondensation
On the role of strong electron correlations in the surface properties and chemistry of uranium dioxide.

We report density functional calculations of the surface properties and chemistry of UO2(111) performed within the generalized gradient approximation corrected with an effective Hubbard parameter (GGA + U within Dudarev's formalism) to account for the strong on-site Coulomb repulsion between U 5f electrons. The variation of the properties of periodic slab models, with collinear ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic arrangements of the uranium magnetic moments, was investigated while ramping up the effective Hubbard parameter from Ueff = 0 eV, corresponding to standard density functional theory, up to Ueff = 4 eV, the value that correctly reproduces the antiferromagnetic ground state of bulk UO2. The chemical interactions of molecular water, dissociated water, dissociated oxygen and co-adsorbed molecular water and monatomic oxygen with the UO2(111) surface were also studied as functions of the Ueff parameter. Calculations reveal that some of the key electronic and chemical properties controlling the surface reactivity are very sensitive to the value of this strong electron correlation parameter.
Defining the ideal cutpoint for determining PSA recurrence after radical prostatectomy

Abstract Objectives To determine the ideal cutpoint for defining prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Although various cutpoints have been used, a recent study suggested that 0.4 ng/mL may be the most appropriate. Methods A retrospective survey of 358 men undergoing RP at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center between 1991 and 2001 was undertaken. The 3-year and 5-year risk of PSA recurrence was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analyses using various cutpoints of postoperative PSA to define recurrence: greater than 0.1, greater than 0.2, greater than 0.3, greater than 0.4, and greater than 0.5 ng/mL. The 1 and 3-year risk of PSA progression after a detectable PSA level (PSA rising to a higher cutpoint) was evaluated for each definition of PSA recurrence using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the clinical variables that were significant independent predictors of PSA recurrence at each cutpoint. Results For patients with a detectable postoperative PSA value from 0.11 to 0.2 ng/mL, the 1 and 3-year risk of PSA progression was 64% (95% confidence interval [CI] 46% to 82%) and 93% (95% CI 74% to 99%), respectively. For patients with a PSA value from 0.21 to 0.3 ng/mL, the 1 and 3-year risk of PSA progression was 86% (95% CI 69% to 97%) and 100% (95% CI 87% to 100%), respectively. The use of higher PSA cutpoints to define recurrence resulted in a lower 5-year risk of PSA recurrence. The 5-year risk of PSA recurrence using a greater than 0.1 ng/mL cutpoint resulted in a 43% (95% CI 36% to 50%) risk of recurrence compared with only 23% (95% CI 18% to 30%) for a greater than 0.5 ng/mL cutpoint. In multivariate analysis, PSA and biopsy Gleason score were significant independent predictors of biochemical recurrence, regardless of the definition of PSA recurrence used ( P ≤0.002). Conclusions PSA and biopsy Gleason score were significant predictors of biochemical failure, regardless of the definition of failure used. However, the definition of PSA recurrence dramatically affected the perceived success of therapy. Patients with a postoperative PSA value greater than 0.2 ng/mL are at very high risk of developing an additional rise in PSA. On the basis of this finding, a PSA value greater than 0.2 ng/mL is an appropriate cutpoint to define PSA recurrence after RP.
The Mobile Communications Handbook

From the Publisher: The Mobile Communications Handbook covers the entire field - from principles of analog and digital communications to cordless telephones, wireless local area networks (LANs), and international technology standards. The amazing scope of the handbook ensures that it will be the primary reference for every aspect of mobile communications. Organized in two sections, The Mobile Communications Handbook first introduces the basic principles of analog and digital communications. Consisting of tutorial articles, this section provides background information and technical details, offering a solid foundation for the spectrum of mobile communications technology. The second part of the handbook consists of articles covering such topics as cellular mobile radio, personal communication systems, user location and addressing, wireless data, wireless LANs, and technology standards. New to the Second Edition: Discussions on: Rayleigh fading channelsSpace-time processingRadiolocation techniquesEnhancements in second generation systemsWireless video communicationsWireless ATMEvolving third generation standards Plus updates on: Wireless dataPower controlChannel assignmentDiversity techniquesError correction codingPseudonoise sequences
Decadal Mass Balance of the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets from High Resolution Elevation Change Analysis of ERS-2 and Envisat Radar Altimetry Measurements

Here we measure fine-scale polar ice sheet elevation change and estimate decadal mass balance for the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets from ERS-2 and ENVISat satellite radar altimeter data. The Greenland results show that moderate to slightly positive elevation change rates (ECRs) dominate the interior areas while large negative ECRs are observed for many coastal areas. In Antarctica, glaciers in the coastal areas of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) are experiencing rapid thinning. The strong thinning of some of these glaciers extends well into the interior of the continent. Over the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS), positive ECRs dominate the interior areas while some glaciers in coastal areas are experiencing thinning. The equivalent mass change for the GIS, EAIS, WAIS, and AIS over the period 1995-2006 is -20, 27, -53, and -26 Gt/yr, respectively.
Our Homes Our Health: Humanizing Health Care through Cultural Humility, Transformative Complicity, and Empowerment

Currently, the United States is in crisis with record numbers of homeless or individuals who face inadequate living conditions. Research shows that there is a direct link between the rise of poor living environments and the overall health of a country’s population. This awareness is now being addressed by the federal government’s re-evaluation of health insurance coverage. The medical and social work professions are looking at alternative delivery models focused on interdisciplinary teams to humanize health care. The paradigms of cultural humility and transformative complicity are offered as important interventions to achieve this goal by strengthening hospital/community engagement. Whereas cultural humility addresses the power imbalance between health provider and patient, transformative complicity attends to our participation in inequity. Taking appropriate action increases our positive transformative potential leading toward more culturally and systemically responsive health care delivery. The case of “Hattie,” an elderly African American woman, is discussed to portray actual and recommended interventions.
Molecular targeting in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy: APcK110 is a new inhibitor of c-Kit activity in AML blasts

7019 Background: Tyrosine kinases (TK) are important for most cellular functions and require stringent control and regulation. C- Kit, a TK and transmembrane receptor for stem cell factor, plays a ...
Root Rot of Dry Edible Bean Caused by Fusarium graminearum

Abstract Fusarium graminearum was identified as a root pathogen of a diverse array of dry edible bean genotypes under both field and greenhouse conditions in North Dakota. In comparisons under cont...
Subclasses of Human IgG Molecules Differing in Heterologous Skin Sensitizing Properties

SummaryThe γ2a, γ2b, and γ2c-globulin subclasses of human serum IgG were tested for their ability to sensitize heterologous (guinea pig) skin. In studies using 15 G-myeloma proteins, positive RPCA tests were obtained with γ2b and γ2e-myeloma proteins. In contrast, γ2a-myeloma proteins gave negative RPCA reactions. These results indicate that the heavy polypeptide chains of γ2u-globulin molecules differ from the heavy chains of γ2b and γy2c-globulin molecules in skin sensitizing as well as in antigenic properties.
Studies on Papua New Guinea Chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae) VII. Six new species

Six new species of chiggers are described from Papua New Guinea: Schoengastia lanceolata from Varanus sp.; Schoengastia ruberi from Rattus ruber; Gahrliepia kaloloensis from Dactylopsila trivirgata; Guntheria chingae from R. ruber; Guntheria syllogisma from Melomys sp.; and Guntheria heterosetosa from Melomys rufescens .
The three legs of a stool: Comment on Richard Nelson, “The sciences are different and the differences matter”

Abstract In our response to Nelson’s important argument regarding the fit of research methods with the subject matter of various natural and social sciences, we highlight the complementarities offered by combining qualitative analysis with modeling and statistical analysis, focusing on economics. The argument is illustrated using a discussion of two studies on the economics of innovation.
The prevention of cardiovascular disease: Emphasis on secondary prevention

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease affecting all major arteries. Clinical evidence of atherosclerosis increases the risk of subsequent morbid and mortal events fivefold to sevenfold over the next 5 to 10 years. The same risk factors contribute to the initial development of CVD events as to their recurrence. Both coronary and noncoronary events, such as stroke or PAD, reflect the severity of the underlying atherosclerotic process and strongly predict future excess CVD morbidity and mortality. Short-term and long-term survival depends on modifying the risk factors that contribute to CVD events. Although absolute proof of benefit for secondary prevention does not exist for all risk factors, the data from primary prevention trials and the secondary prevention trials that have been done argue strongly for aggressive intervention. Benefit has been demonstrated for smoking cessation, cholesterol reduction, and blood pressure control. Selected patients may benefit from additional medical, procedural, or surgical interventions to prolong life, such as beta-blocking agents, aspirin, or carotid endarterectomy. Many secondary prevention measures are a cost-effective way to reduce the substantial morbidity and mortality due to CVD. Contrary to primary prevention, even modest treatment effects from secondary prevention efforts can benefit large numbers of patients. Finally, secondary prevention may be more successful because patients with clinical evidence of CVD may be more highly motivated than their healthy counterparts to make and maintain lifestyle changes.
Disease progression and mortality in neoplasticMya arenaria in the field

Four 6-mo mark-and-recapture experiments conducted in Long Island Sound, USA, from 1988 to 1990, involving approximately 2250 individual observations, demonstrated that under natural conditions significantly higher mortality (p≪0.001, chi-square test) occurred amongMya arenaria (L.) with hematopoietic neoplasia than those diagnosed as non-neoplastic. Using a blood-screening technique, the clams were diagnosed and placed in one of three diagnostic groups based on the severity of the disease (the percentage neoplastic cells per total number of blood cells): non-neoplastic (NN), 0%; low-severity neoplastic (LSN), 50%. Mortality of those clams initially diagnosed as HSN ranged from 48% to 78%, depending on the test period, as compared to 3% to 21% for the non-neoplastic. Mortality in the LSN treatment varied from 8% to 34%. Both progression and remission were evident in clams at all stages of the disease. Mortality and rates of progression and remission in individuals appeared to be linked to water temperatures. Differential mortality may be responsible for the apparent seasonal cycle of prevalence in populations.
Gender, social class and discrimination: an analysis of English proficiency amongst Caribbean immigrant youth

English proficiency remains a vital component when studying the assimilation of immigrants within the destination country. The proposed research defines English proficiency as the immigrants’ ability to speak, read, write and understand English in the US. Grounded in assimilation theory and utilizing the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study, this study reveals that among Caribbean immigrant youth; girls are more proficient in English compared to boys, and parents' socio-economic status remain a salient fact as immigrant youth assimilate into American society. Remarkably, the research also illustrates that, even in the presence of perceived discrimination, immigrant youth are still gaining upward mobility through proficiency in English.
On-chip training of memristor crossbar based multi-layer neural networks

Memristor crossbar arrays carry out multiply-add operations in parallel in the analog domain, and so can enable neuromorphic systems with high throughput at low energy and area consumption. On-chip training of these systems have the significant advantage of being able to get around device variability and faults. This paper presents on-chip training circuits for multi-layer neural networks implemented using a single crossbar per layer and two memristors per synapse. Using two memristors per synapse provides double the synaptic weight precision when compared to a design that uses only one memristor per synapse. Proposed on-chip training system utilizes the back propagation (BP) algorithm for synaptic weight update. Due to the use of two memristors per synapse, we utilize a novel technique for error back propagation. We evaluated the training of the system with some nonlinearly separable datasets through detailed SPICE simulations which take crossbar wire resistance and sneak-paths into consideration. Our results show that in the proposed design, the crossbars consume about 9 less power than single memristor per synapse design.
Physics Versus Engineering of Finite-Time Thermodynamic Models and Optimizations

Finite-time thermodynamics [1] is an extension of traditional thermodynamics that seeks to characterize in-principle limits to the performance of thermodynamic processes given the constraint that such processes take place in a finite time. This constraint forces any process that involves transport through a finite conductance to produce entropy and thus leads to strengthened versions of the second law and provides positive lower bounds on the associated entropy production.
Compassion Fatigue and the Healthy Work Environment.

Background Burnout is a concern for critical care nurses in high-intensity environments. Studies have highlighted the importance of a healthy work environment in promoting optimal nurse and patient outcomes, but research examining the relationship between a healthy work environment and burnout is limited. Objective To examine how healthy work environment components relate to compassion fatigue (eg, burnout, secondary trauma) and compassion satisfaction. Methods Nurses (n = 105) in 3 intensive care units at an academic medical center completed a survey including the Professional Quality of Life and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' Healthy Work Environment standards. Results Regression models using each Healthy Work Environment component to predict each outcome, adjusting for background variables, showed that the 5 Healthy Work Environment components predicted burnout and that meaningful recognition and authentic leadership predicted compassion satisfaction. Conclusions Findings on associations between healthy work environment standards and burnout suggest the potential importance of implementing the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' Healthy Work Environment standards as a mechanism for decreasing burnout.
Specifying and Reasoning about Business Rules in a Semantic Network

Semantic networks have long been recognized as useful in com-monsense reasoning and business applications. This paper explores an attempt to capture a set of business rules as a semantic network. While some of these rules can be expressed as nodes and their connecting links, other rules are best thought of as logical formulae that are attached to particular nodes. We define Augmented Semantic Networks, a formal structure that can capture this concept. We discuss several of the problems that arise in Augmented Semantic Networks and suggest solutions to these problems.
Altered DNA Metabolism in Aged and Progeric Fibroblasts

Aspects of DNA metabolism in aged human fibroblasts and fibroblasts from patients with the Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome have been compared to aneuploid and hybrid mammalian cells. We find the dynamics of DNA metabolism as measured by rejoining of radiation-induced DNA breaks and cyclic repair of DNA is decreased in the “old” cells and in certain progeric cells. Aged fibroblasts and strains of progeric fibroblasts EX-441 and AK are more susceptible to cell death as measured by endonucleolytic DNA degradation.
General Theory of Linear Programming

Let A be an m × n matrix, at least one element of which is different from zero, and denote by a 1,..., a n the columns of A. Let further b be an m-component and c an n-component vector.
Fecal shedding of Rhodococcus equi in mares and foals after experimental infection of foals and effect of composting on concentrations of R. equi in contaminated bedding.

Abstract Rhodococcus equi , a soil saprophyte, is a common cause of pneumonia in foals and a frequent opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed people. Because it is widespread in the environment, R. equi can be detected in the feces of most horses. However, the exact timing and rate of shedding relative to infection is unknown. The objectives of this study were to quantify shedding of R. equi in mares and foals after experimental infection of foals with 2 different inocula and to determine the effect of composting on concentrations of R. equi in contaminated bedding. Foals were infected intratracheally with virulent R. equi using inocula of 1 × 10 7 CFU/mL (n = 16) or 1 × 10 6 CFU/mL (n = 12) at 23 ± 2 days (range 21 to 27 days) of age. Fecal samples were collected from mares and foals prior to infection and on days 3, 7, and 14 post-infection for quantitative culture of total and virulent R. equi . Waste from the horses was composted for 7 days. Concentrations of total and virulent R. equi in foal feces were significantly higher on day 14 post-infection compared to day 0, regardless of inoculum size. Concentration of total R. equi in mare feces was significantly higher on days 3, 7 and 14 compared to day 0 regardless of inoculum size, whereas shedding of virulent R. equi only increased on day 14 post-infection. Composting for 7 days significantly decreased concentrations of total R. equi and virulent R. equi by an average of 1.08 ± 0.21 and 0.59 ± 0.26 log 10 CFU/g, respectively.
Understanding the identity of a policy field: the European Commission and liberal modernization in the domain of labour and social policy

In congruence with the theme of this special issue, this paper clarifies the contribution the identitarian turn in European Union (EU) studies can make to the field. The paper explores the policy domain identity of the European Union social and labour market policy. It argues that over time, this identity has shifted considerably. Starting in the 1990s, when the Delorsian re-regulatory policy orientation slowly dissipated in favour of a more market-oriented approach in line with the so-called pink turn of centrist Social Democratic parties, the identity has undergone a number of changes. In the 2000s, the predominant identity was clearly liberal in nature, shaped by the Lisbon Agenda and a faith in the welfare-creating powers of deregulated market capitalism. By the 2010s, there was clear pushback against this image, and throughout this decade, the policy domain identity has lingered and struggled to assume a more concrete orientation. This slightly muddled and unfocused identity is in part to blame for the period of stagnation in further strides, whilst criticism of Commission overreach and intra-EU immigration have created a momentum against additional activity in this field.
Valuing the Greenland ice sheet and other complex geophysical phenomena.

For the last 40 y, economists have worked to put monetary values on environmental amenities to facilitate the cost–benefit analysis (CBA) of alternative policies (1⇓–3). The motivation is simple: Policy choices inevitably require trade-offs. Resources devoted to climate change mitigation are resources not spent on curing diseases, improving education, alleviating poverty, or providing for national defense, not to mention enjoying private comforts and consumption. It is natural to hold governments and public policies accountable for ensuring that these trade-offs make sense in a transparent way, which is the essence of CBA. A key feature in CBA related to climate change mitigation is the social cost of carbon (SCC), the dollar value associated with avoided damages from each ton of reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The SCC multiplied by total tons of CO2 reduced by a given policy determines benefits; subtracting policy costs yields an estimate of net benefits. These net benefits can be compared across policies or even among various arenas of government activity to make choices and prioritize action. In PNAS, Nordhaus (4) examines the effect of including Greenland ice sheet (GIS) melt in estimates of the SCC. This responds to the common-sense concern that a largely irreversible and complete melting of the GIS would raise mean sea level by 7 m and inundate many of the world’s population centers. It also responds directly to one of the recommendations in a recent consensus study report of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (recommendation 4-3 of ref. 5) that a sea-level rise (SLR) component be included in the SCC modeling. More generally, Nordhaus (4) demonstrates how complex geophysical phenomena can be integrated with an economic … [↵][1]1Email: william.pizer{at}duke.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Mycoplasma hyorhinis expression in patients with carcinoma of the prostate

576 OBJECTIVES: Previously other groups have demonstrated Mycoplasma hyorhinis in gastrointestinal tumors. Recently, our group reported that subjecting human cells to a M. hyorhinis protein, p37 was associated with cellular and genetic changes indicative of a more aggressive malignancy. To help elucidate cause and effect, M. hyorhinis must be present in human prostate specimens. Our objectives were to demonstrate M. hyorhinis in human prostate specimens and to evaluate the association of mycoplasmal expression with the presence of prostatic carcinoma and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for M. hyorhinis was performed on archival frozen prostate tissue specimens from 24 normal (BPH) controls and 26 consecutive prostate cancer patients from our tissue bank. M. hyorhinis was considered present when more than 5% of the cells were immunoreactive. As a means to confirm these results, nested PCR was performed utilizing primers for M. hyorhinis. RESULTS: M. hyorhinis was present in 69% of the tumor specimens vs. 33% of the benign specimens. These results were confirmed with nested PCR. Though not powered to detect such a difference, M hyorhinis immunoreactivity was associated with higher grades and higher stages prostatic carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first experience of detecting M hyrohinis in human prostatic tissue. In addition, a higher correlation of M. hyrohinis immunoreactivity was noted in prostatic tumors compared to benign prostates. Currently a larger study is underway to correlate M hyrohinis infection with prostate cancer, specifically higher grade and higher stage tumors.
Assessment of Data Augmentation Strategies Toward Performance Improvement of Abnormality Classification in Chest Radiographs

Image augmentation is a commonly performed technique to prevent class imbalance in datasets to compensate for insufficient training samples, or to prevent model overfitting. Traditional augmentation (TA) techniques include various image transformations, such as rotation, translation, channel splitting, etc. Alternatively, Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), due to its proven ability to synthesize convincingly-realistic images, has been used to perform image augmentation as well. However, it is unclear whether GAN augmentation (GA) strategy provides an advantage over TA for medical image classification tasks. In this paper, we study the usefulness of TA and GA for classifying abnormal chest X-ray (CXR) images. We first trained a progressive-growing GAN (PG-GAN) to synthesize high-resolution CXRs for performing GA. Then, we trained an abnormality classifier using three training sets individually – training set with TA, with GA and with no augmentation (NA). Finally, we analyzed the abnormality classifier’s performance for the three training cases, which led to the following conclusions: (1) GAN strategy is not always superior to TA for improving the classifier’s performance; (2) in comparison to NA, however, both TA and GA leads to a significant performance improvement; and, (3) increasing the quantity of images in TA and GA strategies also improves the classifier’s performance.
Characteristics of place and the rural disadvantage in deaths from highly preventable causes.

Abstract Extensive research has documented higher mortality in rural parts of the United States compared to urban areas. Much of this work focuses on aggregate rates, documenting a rural mortality penalty that has been increasing over the last three decades. Advances in place-based analyses suggest the importance of community resources for individual mortality but have largely focused on urban spaces. We advance knowledge on rural-urban mortality disparities by focusing on differences for highly preventable causes of death. Using unique geocoded mortality records from Washington state, we match individual-level attributes with area-level measures of socioeconomic conditions to examine whether characteristics of place elucidate the rural mortality penalty. We find that rural decedents have greater odds of dying from highly preventable causes compared to their urban counterparts. Place-based socioeconomic measures, meanwhile, independently associate with the odds of dying from highly preventable causes. However, we find no evidence that the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and highly preventable death varies across geographic contexts.
Small Proportion of Low-Birth-Weight Infants With Ostomy and Intestinal Failure Due to Short-Bowel Syndrome Achieve Enteral Autonomy Prior to Reanastomosis

Background It is challenging to provide optimum nutrition in low-birth-weight (LBW) infants with short-bowel syndrome (SBS) and ostomy. This study aims to evaluate the clinical course of LBW infants with SBS and ostomy in response to enteral feeds, recognize characteristics associated with achievement of enteral autonomy prior to reanastomosis, and evaluate associated short-term outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis of 52 LBW neonates with intestinal failure (IF) caused by SBS and ostomy treated in a neonatal intensive care unit from 2012 to 2018 was performed. Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes were studied in relation to the location of the ostomy and the success with enteral feeding achieved prior to reanastomosis. Results Of the 52 infants with SBS, jejunostomy, ileostomy, and colostomy were present in 9, 40, and 3 infants, respectively. Fourteen (26.92%) infants achieved enteral autonomy transiently, and 7 (13.46%) sustained until reanastomosis. All 9 infants with jejunostomy were parenteral nutrition dependent, compared with 22 with ileostomy and none with colostomy (P = 0.002). Infants who achieved enteral autonomy showed lower incidence of cholestasis (P = 0.038) and better growth velocity (P = 0.02) prior to reanastomosis. Conclusions A minority of LBW infants with SBS and ostomy achieved enteral autonomy prior to reanastomosis. Distal ostomy (ileostomy and colostomy), reduced cholestasis, and better growth were associated with achievement of enteral autonomy. Our report highlights the challenges in establishing enteral autonomy in LBW infants with IF and ostomy, and the feasibility of that approach in a minority of patients, with tangible benefits.
Omega-3 fatty acids increase OXPHOS energy for immune therapy of Alzheimer disease patients

Sporadic late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) preceded by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the most common type of dementia. Long-term studies of immunity to pathogenic amyloid-β (Aβ) in LOAD are lacking. Innate immunity of LOAD patients is malfunctioning in phagocytosis and degradation of Aβ and LOAD patients' macrophage transcriptome and metabolome are deregulated. We previously showed omega-3 fatty acid (ω-3)-mediated repair of unfolded protein response and here we show much broader transcriptomic effects. ω-3 treatment in vitro and ω-3 supplementation by the drink Smartfish (SMF) in vivo increased the transcripts of the genes and pathways of immunity, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, OX-PHOS, nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD+ ) synthesis, and reversed the defects in Aβ phagocytosis. In both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and macrophages, ω-3 increased ATP-linked oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and ω-3 with carnitine was superior to ω-3. ω-3 treatment in vitro and supplementation by the ω-3 drink SMF in vivo rescued macrophage phagocytosis when glycolysis or glycosylation were blocked. ω-3 provide flexible energy for immune clearance of the brain throughout the diurnal cycle, even in hypo- or hyper-glycemia. In certain LOAD patients, ω-3 may delay progression to dementia.
Sleep Screening for Cystic Fibrosis Patients: A Survey of Cystic Fibrosis Programs

OBJECTIVE The prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is unknown, and no standardized screening or treatment guidelines exist to address sleep disorders in CF. The objective of this study is to characterize current sleep screening practices in adult, pediatric, combined, and affiliate CF programs. METHODS A survey was developed in Research Electronic Data Capture and distributed to program directors of accredited CF programs in the United States. RESULTS Eighty-eight program directors responded (36% adult, 43% pediatric, 16% combined, 3% affiliate, and 1% unidentified). Of the respondents, 68% were part of an academic institution, 24% were associated with an academic institution, and 8% were part of a community or private program. Program sizes ranged from less than 50 to more than 500 patients. Routine or informal sleep screening was not performed in 44% of adults, 29% of pediatricians, and 35% of combined and affiliate programs. Most programs (>80%) have access to otolaryngology and sleep medicine although not all of these programs refer patients for evaluation of sleep disorders. Most program directors (77%) perceive sleep disorders as a problem in CF and would recommend routine sleep screening. Possible barriers to sleep screening included clinic flow, screening fatigue, and lack of recommendations for sleep screening. CONCLUSIONS Formal sleep screening is inconsistent among CF care centers although most survey respondents would recommend the inclusion of screening in routine CF care. Future work is needed to further evaluate the impact of sleep disorders in CF and determine best practices for standardization of sleep screening and treatment.
A key performance indicators redefinition initiative at a school of pharmacy using a modified Delphi consensus technique.

Objective The Outcomes and Assessment Committee at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy was tasked with refining the school's key performance indicators (KPIs) to improve programmatic assessment by focusing on the most important measures. Methods Initially, 56 KPIs were tracked, nine of which were university mandated, divided into 10 modules: admissions, community outreach, continuing education, diversity, faculty experience and success, fundraising, graduate program, research and scholarship, staff experience and success, and student experience and success. Using a three-round Delphi consensus technique, KPIs were reviewed by faculty and staff. Each participant responded whether they considered each KPI to be essential or not essential for school quality assessment and improvement. Consensus for the first, second, and third rounds was defined as ≥90%, ≥80%, and ≥75% agreement, respectively. Results Of 109 faculty and staff invited, 49 participated in the first round, 51 in the second, and 42 in the third. At the end of the third round, accumulated consensus was achieved for 35 out of 88 (39.8%) KPIs that were considered essential and 3 out of 88 (3.4%) that were considered non-essential. Consensus percentage per module was: 15.4% (2/13) admissions, 28.6% (2/7) community outreach, 33.3% (3/9) continuing education, 27.3% (3/11) diversity, 62.5% (5/8) faculty experience and success, 55.6% (5/9) fundraising, 40% (4/10) graduate program, 33.3% (3/9) research and scholarship, 57.1% (4/7) staff experience and success, and 66.7% (4/6) student experience and success. Conclusions Ultimately, 35 KPIs achieved consensus as essential to measure achievement of benchmarks for the school, which totals 44 KPIs, including nine university mandated KPIs. The process facilitated faculty and staff involvement in KPI selection and achieved improved focus for programmatic assessment.
Behavioral economics and safe sex: Examining condom use decisions from a reinforcer pathology framework

Condom use substantially reduces unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. While condom availability is a significant public health priority, effects of condom availability constraints remain relatively under-researched. The limited research on condom availability suggests two major barriers to use: (1) effort/costs and (2) delay to access. To date, we are aware of no study that explores both demand for and discounting of condom availability; the focus of this study was to account for condom decisions using a reinforcement pathology framework. This study used a condom purchase task and the Sexual Delay Discounting Task to quantify behavioral economics of condom use. Low sexual discounting was associated with higher willingness to engage unprotected sex. Demand metrics suggest participants indicating abstinence at condom breakpoint were willing to pay nearly double for condoms relative to individuals indicating unprotected sex at breakpoint. Finally, we grouped participants into reinforcement pathology risk groups based on their discounting and demand indices; these groups significantly differed in self-reported number of sexual partners, unprotected sexual partners, and Sexual Desire scores. This study demonstrates the value of behavioral economic approaches to public health concerns, and further underscores the translational benefits of quantitative metrics to shed novel light on risky health decisions.
Metastatic zosteriform cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

A 59-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 1-month history of an excruciatingly painful, erythematous rash with papules, crusted ulcerations and axillary lymphadenopathy. The rash extended from his right axilla to the midline along the T3 and T4 dermatomes ([Figure 1][1]). He had
A deep learning-based segmentation pipeline for profiling cellular morphodynamics using multiple types of live cell microscopy

Summary To accurately segment cell edges and quantify cellular morphodynamics from live-cell imaging data, we developed a deep learning-based pipeline termed MARS-Net (multiple-microscopy-type-based accurate and robust segmentation network). MARS-Net utilizes transfer learning and data from multiple types of microscopy to localize cell edges with high accuracy. For effective training on distinct types of live-cell microscopy, MARS-Net comprises a pretrained VGG19 encoder with U-Net decoder and dropout layers. We trained MARS-Net on movies from phase-contrast, spinning-disk confocal, and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopes. MARS-Net produced more accurate edge localization than the neural network models trained with single-microscopy-type datasets. We expect that MARS-Net can accelerate the studies of cellular morphodynamics by providing accurate pixel-level segmentation of complex live-cell datasets.
Trends in Development Administration

One of the difficulties associated with assessing studies of development administration arises from the broadness of the field. This discussion will be confined to rural studies in the English-speaking countries of Subsaharan Africa that center around aspects of administration as it affects development in the central government bureaucracy, regional and local governments, departmental offices and international agencies. Successful studies seem to have no single base. Perceptive research has been made of projects such as agricultural schemes or resettlement agencies and the cooperative movement has attracted excellent scholars. Others have intensively studied one geographical area, a village, district or region, and some have studied historical developments within one country, isolating the effects of political party, of the transfer of power, or of the nature of the bureaucracy on development. Although political interests predominate in such studies, there have also been valuable contributions made by anthropologists, economists and others. What is more important than the scholar's discipline is the approach he uses; enough good studies and commentaries have now been made to allow one to make some generalizations about the approaches likely to be fruitful. First, there is impressive evidence of a need for rigorous supporting theory, rather than mere applied research with the hope that some theoretical byproducts will result. It is the essence of studies in this field that they should make a contribution to both social theory, and to policy, by indicating to development administrators the range of relevant variables. This latter is the least they can do; in some instances more specific recommendations may be appropriate. It is a fallacy to think in terms of a sharp division between theory and applied research; the two must be fused if any useful results are to emerge. Second, students in this field agree on the need to emphasize two broad areas: the intensive, detailed, anthropological form of investigation of specific communities or agencies and, concurrently, a constant attempt to elaborate and refine the theoretical models on which the detailed studies are based. There is clearly a reciprocal relationship, as excellence in one area results in improvements in the other.
A Paradigm for Detecting Quiescent Properties in Distributed Computations

The problem of stability detection is one of the most widely studied problems in distributed computing [1–28]. A stable property is one that persists: if the property holds at any point, then it holds thereafter. Examples of stable properties are termination, deadlock and loss of tokens in a token-ring. The problem is to devise algorithms to be superimposed on the underlying computation to determine whether a specified stable property holds for the underlying computation. This paper presents a simple (almost trivial) algorithm to detect quiescent properties, an important class of stable properties including those mentioned above. Distributed snapshots [7] may be used to derive algorithms for these problems. However our approach in this paper is different and results in simpler algorithms.