cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is Gaussian noise the worst-case additive noise in wireless networks?

An important classical result in Information Theory states that the Gaussian noise is the worst-case additive noise in point-to-point channels. In this paper, we significantly generalize this result and show that, under very mild assumptions, Gaussian noise is also the worst-case additive noise in general wireless networks with additive noises that are independent from the transmit signals. More specifically, we prove that, given a coding scheme with finite reading precision for an AWGN network, one can build a coding scheme that achieves the same rates on an additive noise wireless network with the same topology, where the noise terms may have any distribution with same mean and variance as in the AWGN network.
Public Health Surveillance and Emergency Response Assistance on a State Level through the National Toxic Substance Incidents Program

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) has recently developed and implemented emergency response guidelines for handling hazardous chemical emergencies. As part of the guidelines, LDHH staff receives on average 30-50 chemical event reports per day. Centralized LDHH staff review the reports and then provide the nine LDHH regions of the state with copies of all the reports specific to their region. If follow-up public health action is necessary, the program can provide an emergency response packet. Events are monitored at local clinics and hospitals to determine the need for follow-up public health investigations.
Evolutionary algorithm-based parameter identification for nonlinear dynamical systems

The inverse problem of parameter estimation for Duffing oscillator, a chaotic dynamical system well known in engineering is solved using quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm, differential evolution and genetic algorithms. The paper focuses on such combination of parameters that produce periodic responses instead of purely chaotic responses. The feature set used is a set of displacement values of the first five Poincare points, after ignoring transient effects. All approaches correctly identify the target set of parameters as producing the given response; however, depending on the fitness landscape some parameters are more difficult to identify than others especially when using the canonical genetic algorithm. This paper is also the first to investigate the quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm for such parameter identification problems.
Quantitative trace metal analysis of silicon surfaces by ToF‐SIMS

Volumetric relative sensitivity factors (RSFs) are determined for 52 Cr, 56 Fe and 58 Ni in an O 2 + -formed silicon oxide using a 12 keV Ga + primary ion beam, and the influence of matrix oxygen content on these RSF values is evaluated. A multivariate expression for Si 2 + -referenced RSF values as a function of oxygen content is developed. This expression indicates that 12 keV Ga + ion beam RSF values for 52 Cr, 56 Fe and 58 Ni in O 2 + -formed oxide at 1.0 nm depth are in excellent agreement with well-established 8 keV O 2 + RSF values in a silicon matrix. Because calculated RSF values for O 2 + -formed oxide at 1.0 nm depth and native silicon oxide are almost equivalent, time-of-flight (ToF) SIMS metal RSF values and detection limits in native oxide for a Ga + liquid metal ion source are predicted, using the well-established 8 keV O 2 + RSF values for metals in a silicon matrix. Time-of-flight SIMS silicon surface detection limits of 5 × 10 6 to 5 × 10 8 atoms cm -2 @ 0.5 nm are predicted for most metals of interest to the semiconductor community.
A maternal screen for genes regulating Drosophila oocyte polarity uncovers new steps in meiotic progression.

Meiotic checkpoints monitor chromosome status to ensure correct homologous recombination, genomic integrity, and chromosome segregation. In Drosophila, the persistent presence of double-strand DNA breaks (DSB) activates the ATR/Mei-41 checkpoint, delays progression through meiosis, and causes defects in DNA condensation of the oocyte nucleus, the karyosome. Checkpoint activation has also been linked to decreased levels of the TGFα-like molecule Gurken, which controls normal eggshell patterning. We used this easy-to-score eggshell phenotype in a germ-line mosaic screen in Drosophila to identify new genes affecting meiotic progression, DNA condensation, and Gurken signaling. One hundred eighteen new ventralizing mutants on the second chromosome fell into 17 complementation groups. Here we describe the analysis of 8 complementation groups, including Kinesin heavy chain, the SR protein kinase cuaba, the cohesin-related gene dPds5/cohiba, and the Tudor-domain gene montecristo. Our findings challenge the hypothesis that checkpoint activation upon persistent DSBs is exclusively mediated by ATR/Mei-41 kinase and instead reveal a more complex network of interactions that link DSB formation, checkpoint activation, meiotic delay, DNA condensation, and Gurken protein synthesis.
Organic Sonochemistry. Ultrasonic Acceleration of the Reaction of Dicarbonyls with Trimethylchlorosilane in the Presence of Zinc

Abstract Ultrasonic waves increase the rates and the yields of the reactions of some α-dicarbonyls towards zinc and trimethylchlorosilane to give bis(trimethylsiloxy)alkenes.
Effects of Flour Conditioning on Cannibalism of T. castaneum Eggs and Pupae

Cannibalism is a very important factor regulating population dynamics of the red flour beetle. After several days of feeding, the flour becomes conditioned by the beetles, which can affect rates of cannibalism. Flour conditioning is caused by an accumulation of feces, pheromones, and ethylquinone, which is a repellent produced by the beetles. We determined the effect of five different levels of flour conditioning on cannibalism of red flour beetle eggs and pupae by adult and larval stages. Larvae had the highest rates of egg cannibalism (12 eggs eaten over the 4-d period) followed by female adults (seven eggs consumed). Adult males had the lowest rates of cannibalism with only two eggs consumed. Cannibalism of eggs by females was correlated negatively with the level of flour conditioning. There was no effect of flour conditioning on egg or pupal cannibalism by larvae or adult males. Cannibalism by adult females may decrease as the level of flour conditioning increases because females may spend less time tunneling in highly conditioned flour and more time trying to disperse to other areas that are better for oviposition.
Biguanide therapy for diabetes and cancer & a novel methyltransferase that regulates energy expenditure and adiposity and is elevated in many cancers

Compounds containing guanidine-related molecules have been used since medieval times to relieve symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Guanidine itself was too toxic but two linked guanidine rings (biguanides) were useful and generally safer. For 20 years, phenformin was used before adverse effects led to removal from the US and European markets. Metformin continues to be widely prescribed for diabetes treatment and is associated with improved survival compared to other diabetes drugs. With the current interest in using the more potent phenformin for cancer therapy, it is timely to review the risks, benefits, and potential contraindications. The adipose cell is as an endocrine organ in addition to its role in energy storage. Adipocytes secrete hormones, cytokines and other factors that influence energy balance, glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity and vascular biology. In humans with obesity and type 2 diabetes, expression of the Glut4 glucose transporter is down-regulated selectively in adipocytes resulting in systemic insulin resistance. Knocking out Glut4 selectively in adipocytes in mice increases the risk of diabetes while adipose-specific Glut4 overexpression confers enhanced glucose tolerance in spite of increased adiposity. To understand how adipocytes regulate glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, we performed DNA microarray analysis of adipose tissue from mice with adipose-specific knockdown or overexpression of Glut4. The most highly reciprocally regulated gene is nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (Nnmt). NNMT methylates nicotinamide (vitamin B3) using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a methyl donor. Nicotinamide is a precursor for NAD+, an important cofactor linking cellular redox states with energy metabolism. NNMT expression is increased in adipose tissue and liver of obese and diabetic mice. Furthermore, NNMT knockdown in adipose tissue and liver using anti-sense oligonucleotides in mice on a high fat diet, protects against diet-induced obesity by augmenting cellular energy expenditure. This involves a novel mechanism which could provide new strategies for prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Since NNMT is also elevated in many cancers, NNMT knockdown could be beneficial for cancer prevention and/or treatment.
Performance of MIMO Channel Models with Channel State Information at the Transmitter

The performance benefits of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna systems in increasing the throughput of a communication system depends on the type and quality of the information sent to the transmitter. In this paper, we examine the loss in throughput due to a delay in receiving information at the transmitter. Specifically, we examine the impact on the throughput when the channel has a delayed channel matrix estimate, as well as when delayed channel statistical information is provided. Additionally, the effect of both delayed transmit and receiver channel state information is explored. The performance is examined using measured data in several environments. Two analytical channel models are synthesized using parameters estimated from the measured data. The usefulness of the analytical models in predicting the same performance when delays are present is then explored.
Light scattering from a spherical particle on a conducting plane. I: Normal incidence

An efficient procedure is developed for calculating light scattering from a spherical particle on a conducting plane. The problem is converted into an equivalent two-particle scattering problem by the method of images. The scattering solution for this two-particle problem is then obtained by the multipole expansion method. Mirror symmetry is exploited to simplify the calculation. Formulas are developed for the differential-scattering cross section and for the extinction and the absorption cross sections. Several example problems are calculated, and the exact solutions are compared with the results from two approximation procedures.
Negotiating Marriage: A Process Model of Heterosexual Engagement

Based on data from qualitative interviews with 40 engaged heterosexual couples, this paper examines how couples transform their relationship from “serious” to being “engaged to be married.” Social Scientists have developed relationship models designed to explain the transformation, but these models fail to adequately capture how couples transform their relationship and the context in which this behavior occurs. Using a constructionist framework, an alternative process model is offered. The five-process model captures the ongoing and fluid work couples perform to negotiate a redefinition of the relationship. Couples reflexively use a host of complex symbolic interaction including talk, rituals, relationships with others, testing, and use of time to construct their relationship in a new way. By examining the underlying reality construction process, rather than merely looking at the outcome, the social processes and human actions that shape relationships are revealed.
The influence of prophylatic lithium treatment on the marital adjustment of manic-depressives and their spouses.

Abstract Fourteen manic-depressives, successfully treated with prophylactic lithium, and their spouses were administered a MPAT test and completed a statement on the overall condition of their marriages to assess the efficacy of lithium in altering certain aspects of their marital adjustment. These tests revealed: (1) Thirteen of 14 manic-depressives were rated as possessing fewer underirable attributes. These attributes were largely manic-depressive symptoms. When the mean prelithium MPAT score was compared to the during lithium mean MPAT score the reduction of undesirable attributes reached a significance level of 0.01; (2) Although nine manic-depressives showed an increase in the frequency of desirable attributes during lithium, the average change was small and therefore, not significant; (3) The spouse of the manic-depressive reduced their frequency of undersirable attributes and increased the frequency of desirable attributes; although not to a significant degree; and (4) MPAT score change appeared not directly related to mean oral dose, mean serum lithium or length of treatment.
CTSS: a robust and efficient method for protein structure alignment based on local geometrical and biological features

We present a new method for conducting protein structure similarity searches, which improves on the accuracy, robustness, and efficiency of some existing techniques. Our method is grounded in the theory of differential geometry on 3D space curve matching. We generate shape signatures for proteins that are invariant, localized, robust, compact, and biologically meaningful. To improve matching accuracy, we smooth the noisy raw atomic coordinate data with spline fitting. To improve matching efficiency, we adopt a hierarchical coarse-to-fine strategy. We use an efficient hashing-based technique to screen out unlikely candidates and perform detailed pairwise alignments only for a small number of candidates that survive the screening process. Contrary to other hashing based techniques, our technique employs domain specific information (not just geometric information) in constructing the hash key, and hence, is more tuned to the domain of biology. Furthermore, the invariancy, localization, and compactness of the shape signatures allow us to utilize a well-known local sequence alignment algorithm for aligning two protein structures. One measure of the efficacy of the proposed technique is that we were able to discover new, meaningful motifs that were not reported by other structure alignment methods.
Cranberry-containing products are associated with a protective effect against urinary tract infections.

Commentary on: Wang CH, Fang CC, Chen NC, et al. Cranberry-containing products for prevention of urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med 2012;172:988–96.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common clinical problem that often recurs, leading to the institution of preventive measures for recurrent UTI (rUTI).1 ,2 Antimicrobial prophylaxis is highly effective, but risks adverse effects and induction of resistance.1 ,2 These considerations and widespread increases in antimicrobial resistance have intensified interest in alternative means of preventing UTIs, such as cranberry products. However, few well-designed clinical trials were available for analysis in the last Cochrane review of cranberry for the prevention … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DArchives%2Bof%2BInternal%2BMedicine%26rft.stitle%253DArch%2BIntern%2BMed%26rft.issn%253D0003-9926%26rft.aulast%253DWang%26rft.auinit1%253DC.%2BH.%26rft.volume%253D172%26rft.issue%253D13%26rft.spage%253D988%26rft.epage%253D996%26rft.atitle%253DCranberry-containing%2Bproducts%2Bfor%2Bprevention%2Bof%2Burinary%2Btract%2Binfections%2Bin%2Bsusceptible%2Bpopulations%253A%2Ba%2Bsystematic%2Breview%2Band%2Bmeta-analysis%2Bof%2Brandomized%2Bcontrolled%2Btrials.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Farchinternmed.2012.3004%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F22777630%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/archinternmed.2012.3004&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=22777630&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F18%2F3%2F110.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000306189500004&link_type=ISI
Increasing hepatic cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase reduces plasma cholesterol concentrations in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Abstract The effect of bile acid depletion and replacement with glycodeoxycholic acid on plasma cholesterol concentrations, hepatic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor binding and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, and hepatic activities and mRNA levels for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase was investigated in 19 New Zealand white (NZW) and 15 Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits. Bile acid depletion was produced by external bile drainage for 5 days, which maximized cholic acid synthesis. Replacement was achieved by infusing glycodeoxycholic acid intraduodenally for 24 hours so that the hepatic bile acid flux reached prefistula levels. Plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations were 13 times and 50% greater, respectively, hepatic LDL receptor-mediated binding was 26% less, and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity and mRNA levels were 62% and 86% less in WHHL than NZW rabbits. After bile drainage, plasma cholesterol concentrations decreased 29% in NZW rabbits and 40% in WHHL rabbits and were associated with a 2.1-fold increase in hepatic LDL receptor-mediated binding in the NZW rabbits, but there was no change in the WHHL rabbits. Cholesterol 7alpha- hydroxylase activity and mRNA levels increased three and four times in NZW and WHHL rabbits, respectively, although liver cholesterol levels remained unchanged. Replacement with exogenous glycodeoxycholic acid increased plasma cholesterol concentrations 1.7 times in NZW rabbits and decreased enhanced cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity 54%, mRNA levels 86%, cholic acid synthesis 38%, and hepatic LDL receptor- mediated binding 57% in NZW rabbits. Bile acid depletion stimulated cholic acid synthesis by up-regulating cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase to use cholesterol and reduce plasma concentrations substantially in both NZW and WHHL rabbits, although LDL receptors did not function in WHHL rabbits. Glycodeoxycholic acid replacement inhibited elevated cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, cholic acid synthesis, and hepatic LDL receptor binding to reestablish baseline plasma cholesterol levels in NZW rabbits. Hypercholesterolemia in WHHL rabbits was related to the combination of dysfunctional LDL receptors and inhibited cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were reduced significantly when cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase was stimulated even in the absence of LDL receptor function. (Hepatology 1996 Oct;24(4):882-7)
Catch Your Attention: Quality-retaining Power Saving on Mobile OLED Displays

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology is considered as a promising alternative to mobile displays. This paper explores how to reduce the OLED power consumption by exploiting visual attention. First, we model the problem of OLED image scaling optimization, with the objective of minimizing the power required to display an image without adversely impacting the user's visual experience. Then, we propose an algorithm to solve the fundamental problem, and prove its optimality even without the accurate power model. Finally, based on the algorithm, we consider implementation issues and realize two application scenarios on a commercial OLED mobile tablet. The results of experiments conducted on the tablet with real images demonstrate that the proposed methodology can achieve significant power savings while retaining the visual quality.
A constraint-based product configurator for mass customisation

To stay competitive, many manufacturers have to adapt their business models to mass customisation, which enables customers to order customised products tailored to their specific needs. One of the key enabling technologies for the successful implementation of mass customisation is the product configurator, a software tool that automatically generates the customised product designs based on the customer requirements and design constraints. A constraint-based product configurator has advantages of flexibility and generality in product modelling and problem solving. Its ability to deal with discrete constraints has been well studied. However, the requirement for handling numeric constraints expressed as mathematical formulas posts a new challenge. This paper proposes a constraint model for n-ary numeric constraints and effective search algorithms. It also presents a system design approach on modelling domain-specific product knowledge, integrating the domain-specific product models into generic search algorithms and presenting configuration results to the end users.
Accelerating Swarm Intelligence Algorithms with GPU-Computing

Swarm intelligence describes the ability of groups of social animals and insects to exhibit highly organized and complex problem-solving behaviors that allow the group as a whole to accomplish tasks which are beyond the capabilities of any individual. This phenomenon found in nature is the inspiration for swarm intelligence algorithms—systems that utilize the emergent patterns found in natural swarms to solve computational problems. In this paper, we will show that due to their implicitly parallel structure, swarm intelligence algorithms of all sorts can benefit from GPU-based implementations. To this end, we present the ClusterFlockGPU algorithm, a swarm intelligence data mining algorithm for partitional cluster analysis based on the flocking behaviors of birds and implemented with CUDA. Our results indicate that ClusterFlockGPU is competitive with other swarm intelligence and traditional clustering methods. Furthermore, the algorithm exhibits a nearly linear time complexity with respect to the number of data points being analyzed and running time is not affected by the dimensionality of the data being clustered, thus making it well-suited for high-dimensional data sets. With the GPU-based implementation adopted here, we find that ClusterFlockGPU is up to 55x times faster than a sequential implementation and its time complexity is significantly reduced to nearly O(n).
The Value of the Pyramid Sticky Trap for Sampling Face Flies, Musca autumnalis , Under Field Conditions in South Dakota

Based on head counts of beef cattle examined in different areas of the state, the number of face flies, Musca autumnalis De Geer, was observed to be higher east of the Missouri River in South Dakota than in the west. West of the Missouri the fly was uncommon or absent during 1977 and 1978 with the exception of the Black Hills area where there is evidence of an isolated population. Pyramid traps constructed of plywood, painted white, covered with transparent plastic and coated with Tack-Trap® adhesive were placed near herds of beef cattle on each of 5 farms in Brookings Co. Over 99% of the 2049 flies caught from June through November, 1978 were males. On one farm near Brookings, house flies, Musca domestica L., outnumbered face flies by 8:1 and over 25% of the house flies attracted to the pyramid traps were female.
Nanowire-quantum dot hybridized cell for harvesting sound and solar energies

We have demonstrated sound-wave-driven nanogenerators using both laterally bonded single wires and vertically aligned nanowire arrays for energy harvesting in the frequency range of 35-1000 Hz. The electricity produced by the single wire generator (SWG) is linearly proportional to the input acoustic energy, while the frequency does not affect the performance of the SWG in this study. By infiltrating CdS/CdTe quantum dots among vertical nanowires, we have fabricatedahybridcellthatsimultaneouslyharvestsbothsoundandsolarenergies. Thisdemonstratesapossibleapproachforeffectivelyharvestingavailableenergies in our living environment with and without the presence of light. SECTION Energy Conversion and Storage
A study on method of rapidly detecting Nontubericulous mycobacia in frontier health quarantine

Objective:To explore the application of rapidly detecting nontubericulous mycobacteria(NTM) in frontier health quarantine.Methods:To compare the rapid method of detecting NTM via MPB64 protein with the examination of culture NTM in PNB medium.Results:The accordance rat of both methods was 100% in 102 clinical isolates and three control strains.Conclusion:The rapid method of detecting NTM with MPB64 protein makes operation easy,takes less time and owns high sensitivity and specificity.Meanwhile,it could be used better in frontier health quarantine.
Analysis of United States (US) and non-US pancreas transplants as reported to the International Pancreas Transplant Registry (IPTR) and to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

As of November 1998, more than 11,000 pancreas transplants had been reported to the IPTR, including more than 8,800 US and more than 2,600 non-US cases. The 1994-98 cases (> 4,500) were analyzed, including more than 4,000 US and more than 500 non-US transplants. For all US 1994-98 SPK transplants (n = 3,409), one-year patient, pancreas and kidney graft survival rates were 94%, 90% and 83%, respectively; for all PAK cases (n = 375), one-year patient and graft survival rates were 95% and 71%; and for all PTA cases (n = 181), one-year patient and graft survival rates were 95% and 64%, respectively. Recipient age had only a small impact on outcome, with one-year patient survival rates for all recipients or = 45 years old (n = 758) (p = 0.005). Pancreas graft survival rates at one year for those or = 45 years old were 84% versus 78% in the SPK (p < 0.02), 70% versus 78% in the PAK (p = 0.13), and 62% versus 79% in the PTA (p = 0.23) categories, respectively). Nearly one-third of US pancreas transplants for 1994-98 were done by the ED drainage technique. For SPK transplants, the one-year pancreas graft survival rate was 83% for BD (n = 2,369) and 82% for ED (n = 912) (p < or = 0.09). For PAK and PTA transplants, pancreas graft survival rates were significantly higher with BD, 74% (n = 261) and 68% (n = 115), respectively, at one year. The drawback for BD was the need for conversion to ED in 7% of the cases at one year and 11% at 2 years. For TS transplants, the pancreas graft loss due to rejection was very low for SPK transplants, 2% at one year versus 9% for PAK and 15% for PTA cases. The various initial maintenance immunosuppressive regimens (Tac + MMF, Tac + Aza, CsA + MMF, CsA + Aza) resulted in only minor differences in pancreas graft survival rates in the SPK cases (80-86% at 1 year), but in PAK and PTA cases the Tac + MMF combination was associated with significantly higher pancreas graft survival rates. For BD PAK transplant recipients given Tac + MMF, the one-year pancreas graft survival rate was 83% (n = 100). For the corresponding BD PTA group it was 75% (n = 44). For non-US cases the outcomes were similar. For non-US SPK transplants (n = 586), one-year patient, kidney and pancreas graft survival rates were 93%, 85% and 81%, respectively. Cox multivariate analyses and logistical regression were done in each recipient category to assess the factors that influence pancreas graft loss. BD was associated with a significantly lower risk than ED in all categories. Increasing donor age was a risk factor in most categories. MMF was associated with a decreased risk for graft loss in the SPK category, and Tac in the PAK and PTA categories.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging: functional mapping.

Abstract Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used primarily to identify the location of eloquent brain functions to spare during epilepsy surgery. Motor tapping yields robust identification of the primary motor cortex, and visual checkerboard stimuli identify primary visual cortex. Language-processing areas in frontal and temporal regions are best identified with a panel of paradigms that target receptive and expressive aspects language and also provide redundancy to assure reproducibility of findings. Language fMRI predicts postoperative naming outcomes and has excellent but not complete agreement with invasive language assessments. There are clear and identifiable circumstances when fMRI may provide false lateralizing or localizing information. Recent memory-encoding paradigms demonstrate material specificity of hippocampal function. Functional adequacy rather than functional reserve predict postoperative memory outcomes. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography may be melded with fMRI to identify the long white-matter tracts that may be at risk in epilepsy surgery. Interictal spike fMRI, in some circumstances, may be able to identify the epileptogenic zone, but has not yet entered standard clinical practice.
Hospital Quality Reporting in the United States: Does Report Card Design and Incorporation of Patient Narrative Comments Affect Hospital Choice?

Objective To explore the impact of hospital report card design and incorporation of patient narrative comments on consumers' choices of hospitals. Data Sources Primary data collected from an online survey with 1,350 respondents in February, 2015. Study Design A randomized 2 (narrative comments: yes, no) × 3 (design: representation of clinical performance in textual, star, numerical formats) between-subject online-based cross-sectional experiment. Principal Findings In 51 percent of all cases, respondents selected the hospital with the best clinical results. Report cards with a numerical design induced choices more focused on clinical ratings (56.0 percent chose the highest rated hospital) than those with textual information (48.1 percent) or star ratings (47.3 percent) (p < .001). Report cards without narrative comments (49.7 percent) and with narratives (51.4 percent) were not associated with significant difference in selecting top-rated clinical hospitals (p = .376). But there were significant interactions affecting choice of hospitals among exposure to narratives, formatting of clinical performance, and respondents' education. Conclusions Consumers have a difficult time synthesizing quality data in various formats. Hospital report cards continue to pose challenging choices, especially for those with limited education. Narrative comments in their earliest emerging forms do not seem to be altering hospital choice as much as the literature has suggested for other providers, but they may have consequential impact on the choices of certain subsets of consumers.
The Informal Economy: Recent Trends, Future Directions

Informal employment represents more than half of nonagricultural employment in most developing regions, contributes to the overall economy, and provides pathways to reduction of poverty and inequality. Support to the informal economy should include the expansion of occupational health and safety to include informal workers, based on an analysis of their work places and work risks. The paper presents main schools of thought and argues for a holistic understanding of the different segments of the informal work force and for policies and interventions tailored to the needs and constraints of these different segments. The paper recommends a policy approach which seeks to extend social protection, including occupational health and safety services, to informal workers, and to increase the productivity of informal enterprises and informal workers through an enabling environment and support services. The paper calls for a new paradigm of a hybrid economy which would value and integrate the informal economy alongside the formal economies.
Asymptotic Optimality of Three Stage Design for Estimating Product of Means with Applications in Reliability Estimation and Risk Assessment

The one-parameter exponential family is a practically convenient and widely used unified family of distributions, which contains both discrete and continuous distributions that can be used for practical modelling, such as the Binomial, Beta, Normal, etc. The problem of estimating product of means has been explored for independent populations from one-parameter exponential family in a general sense, with a three-stage sampling design proposed and proven to be first-order efficient. The purpose of this paper is to apply the theoretical results to specific applications and to provide practical guidance on implementing the proposed sequential design. One popular application problem of interest is to estimate the system reliability, for which a Beta-Binomial model will be adopted. The other practical problem, which is often encountered in environmental study, is risk assessment and a Normal-Normal model will be used for the case.
Canagliflozin-Induced Diabetic Ketoacidosis Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are relatively new antihyperglycemic agents that lower renal glucose reabsorption. They are used as adjunctive therapy to standard diabetes treatment. Case Report: We present the case of a 62-year-old woman with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and sudden-onset diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Use of canagliflozin, a SGLT-2 inhibitor, was determined to be the cause of the DKA. The patient ultimately recovered after 5 days in the intensive care unit. She was changed to long- and short-acting insulins and instructed to avoid canagliflozin. Conclusion: Although SGLT-2 inhibitors are effective at lowering a patient’s hemoglobin A1C, physicians must be aware of the rare but dangerous potential adverse effect of inducing DKA. This article reports an illustrative case and presents a review of the literature.
Gustatory Hallucinations in Epileptic Seizures

Gustatory hallucinations occurred as a manifestation of parietal, temporal or temporoparietal seizures in 30 (4%) of 718 patients investigated for intractable epilepsy by stereoelectroencephalographic exploration at the Unite de Recherches 97, Inserm, et Service de Neurochirurgie de l’Hopital Sainte-Anne, Paris.
Congruence between polysomnography obstructive sleep apnea and the pediatric sleep questionnaire: fatigue and health-related quality of life in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Purpose To examine the congruence between polysomnography obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI) and parent-reported obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms in 6- to 11-year-old children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and controls; and to compare fatigue and quality of life in JIA and control children based on OAHI and OSA symptoms.
Matched Behavioral and Neural Adaptations for Low Sound Level Echolocation in a Gleaning Bat, Antrozous pallidus

Abstract In active sensing, animals make motor adjustments to match sensory inputs to specialized neural circuitry. Here, we describe an active sensing system for sound level processing. The pallid bat uses downward frequency-modulated (FM) sweeps as echolocation calls for general orientation and obstacle avoidance. The bat’s auditory cortex contains a region selective for these FM sweeps (FM sweep-selective region, FMSR). We show that the vast majority of FMSR neurons are sensitive and strongly selective for relatively low levels (30-60 dB SPL). Behavioral testing shows that when a flying bat approaches a target, it reduces output call levels to keep echo levels between ∼30 and 55 dB SPL. Thus, the pallid bat behaviorally matches echo levels to an optimized neural representation of sound levels. FMSR neurons are more selective for sound levels of FM sweeps than tones, suggesting that across-frequency integration enhances level tuning. Level-dependent timing of high-frequency sideband inhibition in the receptive field shapes increased level selectivity for FM sweeps. Together with previous studies, these data indicate that the same receptive field properties shape multiple filters (sweep direction, rate, and level) for FM sweeps, a sound common in multiple vocalizations, including human speech. The matched behavioral and neural adaptations for low-intensity echolocation in the pallid bat will facilitate foraging with reduced probability of acoustic detection by prey.
Algorithm for Overcoming the Curse of Dimensionality For Time-Dependent Non-convex Hamilton---Jacobi Equations Arising From Optimal Control and Differential Games Problems

In this paper we develop a parallel method for solving possibly non-convex time-dependent Hamilton---Jacobi equations arising from optimal control and differential game problems. The subproblems are independent so they can be implemented in an embarrassingly parallel fashion, which usually has an ideal parallel speedup. The algorithm is proposed to overcome the curse of dimensionality (Bellman in Adaptive control processes: a guided tour. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1961; Dynamic programming. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1957) when solving HJ PDE . We extend previous work Chow et al. (Algorithm for overcoming the curse of dimensionality for certain non-convex Hamilton---Jacobi equations, Projections and differential games, UCLA CAM report, pp 16---27, 2016) and Darbon and Osher (Algorithms for overcoming the curse of dimensionality for certain Hamilton---Jacobi equations arising in control theory and elsewhere, UCLA CAM report, pp 15---50, 2015) and apply a generalized Hopf formula to solve HJ PDE involving time-dependent and perhaps non-convex Hamiltonians. We suggest a coordinate descent method for the minimization procedure in the Hopf formula. This method is preferable when even the evaluation of the function value itself requires some computational effort, and also when we handle higher dimensional optimization problem. For an integral with respect to time inside the generalized Hopf formula, we suggest using a numerical quadrature rule. Together with our suggestion to perform numerical differentiation to minimize the number of calculation procedures in each iteration step, we are bound to have numerical errors in our computations. These errors can be effectively controlled by choosing an appropriate mesh-size in time and the method does not use a mesh in space. The use of multiple initial guesses is suggested to overcome possibly multiple local extrema in the case when non-convex Hamiltonians are considered. Our method is expected to have wide application in control theory and differential game problems, and elsewhere.
Genome Sequences of Cluster K Mycobacteriophages DrHayes, Urkel, and SamuelLPlaqson

ABSTRACT Mycobacteriophages DrHayes, Urkel, and SamuelLPlaqson were isolated from soil samples in Spokane, WA, using Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 grown at room temperature. The three genomes differ by only a few nucleotides, are 60,526 bp long, have 97 predicted protein-coding genes and one tRNA gene, and are members of subcluster K1.
Positive Autoregulation of an Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Quorum-Sensing Circuit Synchronizes the Population Response.

Many proteobacteria utilize acyl-homoserine lactone quorum-sensing signals. At low population densities, cells produce a basal level of signal, and when sufficient signal has accumulated in the surrounding environment, it binds to its receptor, and quorum-sensing-dependent genes can be activated. A common characteristic of acyl-homoserine lactone quorum sensing is that signal production is positively autoregulated. We have examined the role of positive signal autoregulation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa We compared population responses and individual cell responses in populations of wild-type P. aeruginosa to responses in a strain with the signal synthase gene controlled by an arabinose-inducible promoter so that signal was produced at a constant rate per cell regardless of cell population density. At a population level, responses of the wild type and the engineered strain were indistinguishable, but the responses of individual cells in a population of the wild type showed greater synchrony than the responses of the engineered strain. Although sufficient signal is required to activate expression of quorum-sensing-regulated genes, it is not sufficient for activation of certain genes, the late genes, and their expression is delayed until other conditions are met. We found that late gene responses were reduced in the engineered strain. We conclude that positive signal autoregulation is not a required element in acyl-homoserine lactone quorum sensing, but it functions to enhance synchrony of the responses of individuals in a population. Synchrony might be advantageous in some situations, whereas a less coordinated quorum-sensing response might allow bet hedging and be advantageous in other situations.IMPORTANCE There are many quorum-sensing systems that involve a transcriptional activator, which responds to an acyl-homoserine lactone signal. In all of the examples studied, the gene coding for signal production is positively autoregulated by the signal, and it has even been described as essential for a quorum-sensing response. We have used the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model to show that positive autoregulation is not required for a robust quorum-sensing response. We also show that positive autoregulation of signal production enhances the synchrony of the response. This information enhances our general understanding of the biological significance of how acyl-homoserine lactone quorum-sensing circuits are arranged.
Multi-spectral radar measurements of ice and snow using manned and unmanned aircraft

We present an overview of a set of radar instruments developed at the University of Kansas for multi-spectral measurements of ice and snow properties. The systems operate at different frequency bands ranging from 14 MHz to 38 GHz, onboard manned and unmanned aircraft. The data collected with these systems are used to estimate parameters such as ice thickness, ice surface and bedrock topography, snow cover thickness on sea ice, and annual snow accumulation. We give a summary of recent field programs (including operations out of Punta Arenas, Chile) and discuss current collaborations with Chilean institutions.
Preventing gender-based violence victimization in adolescent girls in lower-income countries: Systematic review of reviews.

Abstract This systematic review of reviews synthesizes evidence on the impact of interventions to prevent violence against adolescent girls and young women 10–24 years (VAWG) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Theories of women's empowerment and the social ecology of multifaceted violence frame the review. Child abuse, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGMC), child marriage, intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual violence were focal outcomes. Our review followed the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) for the systematic review of reviews, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) for a systematic review of recent intervention studies. Of 35 reviews identified between June 7 and July 20, 2016, 18 were non-duplicate systematic reviews of medium-to-high quality. Half of these 18 reviews focused on interventions to prevent IPV. Only four focused on adolescents, of which three focused on child marriage and one compared findings across early and late adolescence. None focused on interventions to prevent child abuse or sexual violence in adolescent/young women. From these 18 reviews and the supplemental systematic review of intervention studies, data were extracted on 34 experimental or quasi-experimental intervention studies describing 28 interventions. Almost all intervention studies measured impacts on one form of VAWG. Most studies assessed impacts on child marriage (n = 13), then IPV (n = 8), sexual violence (n = 4), child abuse (n = 3), and FGMC (n = 3). Interventions included 1–6 components, involving skills to enhance voice/agency (n = 17), social networks (n = 14), human resources like schooling (n = 10), economic incentives (n = 9), community engagement (n = 11) and community infrastructure development (n = 6). Bundled individual-level interventions and multilevel interventions had more favorable impacts on VAWG. Interventions involving community engagement, skill-building to enhance voice/agency, and social-network expansion show promise to reduce VAWG. Future interventions should target poly-victimization, compare impacts across adolescence, and include urban, out-of-school, married, and displaced/conflict-affected populations in LMICs, where VAWG may be heightened.
Accelerated randomized vs. deterministic algorithms for mom blocks' low-rank factorization

A randomized and a deterministic algorithm for the fast computation of impedance matrix blocks' low-rank factorization are contrasted. The deterministic algorithm is based on multilevel compression of non-uniformly sampled phase- and amplitude-compensated interactions between clusters of source/observer basis/testing functions. The randomized algorithm is accelerated by using fast Fourier transform-based field evaluation. The algorithms' performance are compared for various classes of problem topology and algorithm parameters.
Measuring Financial Inclusion

This paper summarizes the first publicly available, user-side dataset of indicators that measures how adults in 148 countries save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. We use the data to benchmark financial inclusion around the world and investigate the significant countryand individual-level variation in how adults use formal and informal financial systems to manage their day-to-day finances and plan for the future. While the data show that 50 percent of adults worldwide have an account at a formal financial institution, account penetration varies across countries by economic development and across income groups within countries. Although half of adults around the world remain unbanked, reported barriers to account use—such as cost, distance and documentation requirements—may shed light on potential market failures and provide guidance to policymakers in shaping financial inclusion policies.
Coordination of Wind Farm and Pumped-Storage Hydro for a Self-Healing Power Grid

The increasing penetration of wind energy poses great challenges to the operation of power systems in normal and emergency states. However, energy storage technologies can help accommodate wind power uncertainty and variability due to their flexible characteristics. This paper focuses on the restoration phase, and provides a novel coordination strategy of wind and pumped-storage hydro (PSH) units for a faster and reliable self-healing process. The wind-PSH assisted power system restoration is formulated as a two-stage adaptive robust optimization problem. The first-stage problem determines the start-up sequence of generators and the energization times of transmission paths; and the second-stage problem decides load pickup sequences, wind power dispatch levels, and PSH units’ operating modes. The column-and-constraint generation decomposition algorithm is applied to solve the two-stage adaptive robust optimization problem, which has a mixed-integer optimization in the inner-level problem. The developed coordination strategy is tested on the modified IEEE 39-bus system. Numerical results demonstrate that the coordinated wind and PSH units can increase the total energy served, enhance wind power dispatchability, and reduce wind power curtailment.
Effect of molybdenum additions on the microstructures and corrosion behaviours of 316L stainless steel-based alloys

Alloys were made by alloying 5, 10, 15, 17.5 and 20 wt-% Mo with Type 316L stainless steel. Sigma phases containing 21–29 wt-% Mo formed along the austenite grain boundaries with the addition of 5 ...