cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The ‘systems approach’ to human problems: How humanitarian engineering can help

As the world finds itself in the 21st century, engineers will be challenged as never before to tackle the systems of complex problems threatening the advancement and very survival of humanity. Attempts to apply the systems approach to these messy problems have often failed because its practitioners failed to recognize the importance of understanding political, social, and economic factors as part of any true systems approach as well as part of any viable solutions to human problems. The relatively new field of Humanitarian Engineering is a balance of technical excellence, economic feasibility, ethical maturity, and cultural sensitivity. It represents the maturation of the principles of Systems Engineering, offers insight into why Systems Engineering has mostly failed in its attempts to solve human problems, and incorporates elements that should be embraced by the engineering education establishment to better prepare engineering students to meet the current and future needs of humanity.
Detectability and Stabilizability of Discrete-Time Switched Linear Systems

For discrete-time switched linear systems under nondeterministic autonomous switching, the existence of causal finite-path-dependent stabilizing output injection and state feedback laws are characterized by increasing unions of linear matrix inequality conditions. These convex characterizations lead to the notions of causal finite-path-dependent detectability and stabilizability, which in turn yield a separation result for dynamic output feedback stabilization. By generalizing the standard duality concept to switched systems under arbitrary switching path constraints, we relate these notions to direct extensions of time-varying detectability and stabilizability requirements.
Interfacial thermal resistance of Cu–SWCNT nanowire in water

The conduction along the radial direction of CuNW–SWCNT nanocomposite surrounded with water is examined. Due to its simplicity and adaptability, a simple point-charge water model is implemented. Using the Nose–Hoover thermostat, the copper core is kept at a uniform temperature as a heat source, and a circular edge layer of water is kept at a lower temperature as a heat sink in order to impose a radial temperature distribution. The thermal boundary resistance was predicted as 0.1732 × 10 −8 m 2 K/W at the interface of CuNW–water, 3.16 × 10 −8 m 2 K/W at the interface of SWCNT–water, and 0.743 × 10 −8 m 2 K/W at the interface of (CuNW–SWCNT)–water.
Use of SVD-based probit transformation in clustering gene expression profiles

The mixture-Gaussian model-based clustering method has received much attention in clustering gene expression profiles in the literature of bioinformatics. However, this method suffers from two difficulties in applications. The first one is on the parameter estimation, which becomes difficult when the dimension of the data is high or the size of a cluster is small. The second one is on the normality assumption for gene expression levels, which is seldom satisfied by real data. In this paper, we propose to overcome these two difficulties by the probit transformation in conjunction with the singular value decomposition (SVD). SVD reduces the dimensionality of the data, and the probit transformation converts the scaled eigensamples, which can be interpreted as correlation coefficients as explained in the text, into Gaussian random variables. Our numerical results show that the SVD-based probit transformation enhances the ability of the mixture-Gaussian model-based clustering method for identifying prominent patterns of the data. As a by-product, we show that the SVD-based probit transformation also improves the performance of the model-free clustering methods, such as hierarchical, K-means and self-organizing maps (SOM), for the data sets containing scattered genes. In this paper, we also propose a run test-based rule for selection of eigensamples used for clustering.
Comparison of methods of temperature measurement in swine

The purpose of these experiments was to test the equivalence of pulmonary artery, urinary bladder, tympanic, rectal and femoral artery methods of temperature measurement in healthy and critically ill swine under clinical intensive care unit (ICU) conditions using a prospective, time series design. First, sensors were tested for error and sensitivity to change in temperature with a precision-controlled water bath and a laboratory-certified digital thermometer for temperatures 34-42 degrees C. There was virtually no systematic (bias) or random (precision) error ( or=0.5 degrees C) and/or precision (>or=0.2 degrees C). Response time varied from 7 s with the femoral artery method to 280 s (4.7 min) with the tympanic method. We concluded that equivalence of the methods was insufficient for them to be used interchangeably in the porcine ICU. Intravascular monitoring of core body temperature produces optimal measurement of porcine temperature under varying conditions of physiological stability.
Vaccine Efficacy in Senescent Mice Challenged with Recombinant SARS-CoV Bearing Epidemic and Zoonotic Spike Variants

Background In 2003, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was identified as the etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome, a disease characterized by severe pneumonia that sometimes results in death. SARS-CoV is a zoonotic virus that crossed the species barrier, most likely originating from bats or from other species including civets, raccoon dogs, domestic cats, swine, and rodents. A SARS-CoV vaccine should confer long-term protection, especially in vulnerable senescent populations, against both the 2003 epidemic strains and zoonotic strains that may yet emerge from animal reservoirs. We report the comprehensive investigation of SARS vaccine efficacy in young and senescent mice following homologous and heterologous challenge. Methods and Findings Using Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRP) expressing the 2003 epidemic Urbani SARS-CoV strain spike (S) glycoprotein (VRP-S) or the nucleocapsid (N) protein from the same strain (VRP-N), we demonstrate that VRP-S, but not VRP-N vaccines provide complete short- and long-term protection against homologous strain challenge in young and senescent mice. To test VRP vaccine efficacy against a heterologous SARS-CoV, we used phylogenetic analyses, synthetic biology, and reverse genetics to construct a chimeric virus (icGDO3-S) encoding a synthetic S glycoprotein gene of the most genetically divergent human strain, GDO3, which clusters among the zoonotic SARS-CoV. icGD03-S replicated efficiently in human airway epithelial cells and in the lungs of young and senescent mice, and was highly resistant to neutralization with antisera directed against the Urbani strain. Although VRP-S vaccines provided complete short-term protection against heterologous icGD03-S challenge in young mice, only limited protection was seen in vaccinated senescent animals. VRP-N vaccines not only failed to protect from homologous or heterologous challenge, but resulted in enhanced immunopathology with eosinophilic infiltrates within the lungs of SARS-CoV–challenged mice. VRP-N–induced pathology presented at day 4, peaked around day 7, and persisted through day 14, and was likely mediated by cellular immune responses. Conclusions This study identifies gaps and challenges in vaccine design for controlling future SARS-CoV zoonosis, especially in vulnerable elderly populations. The availability of a SARS-CoV virus bearing heterologous S glycoproteins provides a robust challenge inoculum for evaluating vaccine efficacy against zoonotic strains, the most likely source of future outbreaks.
A cell-type-specific dynamic Bayesian network model for spontaneous and optogenetically evoked activity in the primary visual cortex

Reciprocal interaction between excitatory and inhibitory neurons within and between layers of the cerebral cortex is a major element of brain function. Ensemble extracellular recording techniques using mircroelectrode arrays have permitted recording spiking activity of many neurons simultaneously to characterize network function [1]. Identifying the type of neurons in these recordings is not straightforward due to the variability in extracellular spike shapes, and the irregularities often observed in their interspike interval characteristics. In this study, we used optogenetic tools to genetically target fast spiking interneurons in the primary visual cortex of mice [2]. We modulated their spiking activity by illuminating the region with very short pulses (<1 ms) of light (~470 nm wavelength)in mice primary visual cortex. Using Dynamic Bayesian Network analysis [3], we assessed the effective connectivity between the recorded neurons in the presence and absence of light stimuli under distinct cortical states observed under light anesthesia. DBNs could identify the effective connectivity between putative excitatory pyramidal cells and inhibitory interneurons. These findings suggest a novel and unprecedented way to identify cortical neuronal circuits and characterize the dynamics of their computations in vivo.
Antibody against the Carboxyl Terminus of Intimin α Reduces Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Adherence to Tissue Culture Cells and Subsequent Induction of Actin Polymerization

The C-terminal third of intimin binds to its translocated receptor (Tir) to promote attaching and effacing lesion formation during infection with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). We observed that the adherence of EPEC strains to HEp-2 cells was reduced and that actin polymerization was blocked by antibody raised against the C-terminal third of intimin α.
Utilization of Cyanobacteria in Photobioreactors for Orthophosphate Removal from Water

The effectiveness of photosynthetic free-living and polyurethane foam (PU) immobilized Anabaena variabilis cells for removal of orthophosphate (P) from water in batch cultures and in a photobioreactor was studied. Immobilization in PU foams was found to have a positive effect on P uptake by cyanobacteria in batch cultures. The efficiency of P uptake by immobilized cells was higher than by free-living cells. A laboratory scale photobioreactor was constructed for removal of P from water by the immobilized cyanobacteria. The photobioreactor was designed so that the growth medium (water) from a reservoir was pumped through a photobioreactor column with immobilized cyanobacteria and back to the reservoir. This created a closed system in which it was possible to measure P uptake. No leakage of cells into the photobioreactor medium reservoir was observed during the operation. The immobilized cells incorporated into a photobioreactor column removed P continuously for about 15 d. No measurable uptake was demonstrated after this period. Orthophosphate uptake efficiency of 88–92% was achieved by the photobioreactor.
Currere, Unexpected Journeys, and Unplanned Destinations in Academia

A sudden change of teaching placements forced my return to graduate school at the age of 40. Transformative graduate school learning resulted in the completion of a Ph.D. and earning a tenure track position in teacher education. This essay uses Pinar’s four steps of currere provide a lens to examine the past, look toward the future, take opportunity to look backward to the past while examining the present, and then re-enter the present. Mezirow’s transformative adult learning theory lends guidance for understanding why older adults may be uniquely poised to navigate successfully the complex maze of academia.
Calcified Amorphous Tumor of the Heart

A 44-year–old previously healthy man presented with progressive shortness of breath on exertion. Chest x-ray showed clear lung fields, but dense calcification was noted within the cardiac silhouette. Sixty-four–detector row cardiac computed tomographic angiography revealed diffuse calcific infiltration of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium, which also involved the papillary muscles and mitral chordal apparatus (Figure 1 and online-only Data Supplement Movie I). Calcific infiltration was most notable in the apical, lateral, and septal free walls. The right ventricle was spared except for contiguous …
An Erie Obstacle to State Tort Reform

The national wave of tort reform that began in the 1980s wrought procedural and substantive changes in Idaho law. This article focuses on one such change: the 1987 enactment of the Idaho law that restricts the pleading of punitive damages, Idaho Code section 6-1604(2). This law, similar to laws in seven other states, bars punitive damages from an initial complaint and allows a punitive damage claim to be included in an amended complaint only if the plaintiff demonstrates a reasonable likelihood that he or she will prove facts sufficient to recover a punitive damage award at trial. This article address whether this state law restricting the pleading of punitive damages applies in federal-court diversity actions. The federal district courts in Idaho have held that, under the Erie doctrine, the Idaho law does apply in diversity actions. This article argues that those courts are incorrect. The Idaho law and similar state laws restricting the pleading of punitive damages do not apply in federal court because they conflict with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCPs). Moreover, even if the FRCPs are interpreted not to conflict with these state laws, federal courts should still disregard the state laws, in the exercise of the federal courts' inherent power to make procedural rules for their own proceedings that trump state law.
Osmotic pressure regulates abg-rENaC expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Ji, Hong-Long, Catherine M. Fuller, and Dale J. Benos. Osmotic pressure regulates abg-rENaC expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Am. J. Physiol. 275 (Cell Physiol. 44): C1182–C1190, 1998.—The hypothesis that amiloride-sensitive Na1 channels (ENaC) are involved in cell volume regulation was tested. Anisosmotic ND-20 media (ranging from 70 to 450 mosM) were used to superfuse Xenopus oocytes expressing abg-rat ENaC (abg-rENaC). Whole cell currents were reversibly dependent on external osmolarity. Under conditions of swelling (70 mosM) or shrinkage (450 mosM), current amplitude decreased and increased, respectively. In contrast, there was no change in current amplitude of H2O-injected oocytes to the above osmotic insults. Currents recorded from abg-rENaC-injected oocytes were not sensitive to external Cl2 concentration or to the K1 channel inhibitor BaCl2. They were sensitive to amiloride. The concentration of amiloride necessary to inhibit one-half of the maximal rENaC current expressed in oocytes (Ki; apparent dissociation constant) decreased in swollen cells and increased in shrunken oocytes. The osmotic pressure-induced Na1 currents showed properties similar to those of stretch-activated channels, including inhibition by Gd31 and La31, and decreased selectivity for Na1. abg-rENaC-expressing oocytes maintained a nearly constant cell volume in hypertonic ND-20. The present study is the first demonstration that abg-rENaC heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes may contribute to oocyte volume regulation following shrinkage.
Silica-based self-healing microcapsules for self-repair in concrete

New self-healing material for concrete repair has been fabricated through microencapsulation of silica sol via interfacial polymerization of poly(urea-urethane). Smooth, uniform, and spherical capsules of 60–120 µm sizes were synthesized and optimized by studying the emulsification and polymerization steps of its synthesis. A hydrophile–lyophile balance (HLB) value of 3.0–5.0 and a rotational speed of 500 rpm were necessary to produce a stable emulsion system of silica sol in surfactants. The polymerization speed of 900 rpm and the methylene diisocyanate (MDI) monomer content of 15 wt % were both significant in getting the right size and smoothness of the microcapsules. With this method and cheap healing agents, industrial scale-up is highly possible. The viscoelastic properties of the microcapsules were examined, and further characterizations were carried out through scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. After healing the microcracks in concrete, the results showed that the significant increase of compressive and bending strengths manifested the self-healing ability of the microcapsules in concrete. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43090.
Neoatherosclerosis: detection and clinical consequences.

It is well known that vulnerable plaque is characterized by a thin cap with underlying soft atheromatous material that may rupture causing acute myocardial infarction. What is less well known is how to identify vulnerable plaque and how it should be treated to reduce major adverse cardiac events.
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Monitoring

Thyroid surgery is unique in head and neck surgery in that both right and left cranial nerves are subject to risk in one surgical procedure. It is a well-known fact that unilateral vocal cord palsy can lead to voice changes sufficient enough to alter vocation especially in professional voice users, and may be accompanied by dysphagia and aspiration, whereas bilateral vocal cord paralysis may necessitate a tracheostomy [1]. Current reported rates for temporary vocal cord paralysis range anywhere between 1.4 and 38.4 % (average 9.8 %), whereas it ranges between 0 and 18.6 % (average 2.3 %) for permanent vocal cord paralysis [2]. Thus importance of ensuring functional integrity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve anatomy (RLN) during thyroid surgery cannot be overstated.
Early Failure of a Ceramic-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

The total hip arthroplasty procedure has improved substantially over the past two decades, including the design, materials used, and the fixation. Minimizing bearing surface wear has become a determinant of long-term implant survival. Approaches to minimize bearing surface wear have included improvement in polyethylene as well as the introduction of hard-on-hard bearing couples. Presently, the most commonly used hard bearing surfaces include metal-on-metal (MOM) and ceramic-on-ceramic (COC) couples. Both have excellent tribological properties, but they also have limitations. Second-generation MOM articulations have lower wear rates compared with metal-on-ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)1-3. However, despite lower volumetric wear, the wear particles are very small and their presence locally and systemically is concerning4-11. COC articulations have better wear properties than MOM and UHMWPE couples12-17, but issues such as squeaking18,19 and implant fracture remain problematic16,20,21. In the hope of overcoming the adverse issues of MOM and COC bearing couples, an innovative ceramic-on-metal (COM) articulation, utilizing a ceramic head and metal liner, has been recently introduced. Proposed advantages of COM couples include reduced wear, with resultant lower serum metal ion levels compared with MOM12,17,22-24, although COM and COC couples have similar wear rates12,24,25. Adverse soft-tissue reactions are a well-known complication of MOM hip resurfacing arthroplasty7,26-28 as well as contemporary MOM total hip arthroplasty29,30. Such soft-tissue reactions have not been reported with COM bearings; however, these devices have had limited use and only short-term follow-up. We report the case of a patient who experienced early failure of a COM total hip arthroplasty. The patient was informed that data concerning her case would be …
Sigma receptor "antagonist" BMY 14802 increases neurotensin concentrations in the rat nucleus accumbens and caudate.

Acute and chronic treatment with antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol, selectively increases the concentrations of neurotensin (NT) in the nucleus accumbens and caudate of the rat. These increases in NT concentration in the nucleus accumbens and caudate have been hypothesized to underlie the therapeutic and extrapyramidal effects of antipsychotic drugs, respectively. The present study evaluates the effects of the putative antipsychotic and selective sigma receptor "antagonist" BMY 14802 on regional brain NT concentrations. NT concentrations in discrete brain regions of adult, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay. Like haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.), acute and chronic treatment with BMY 14802 (35 mg/kg/day i.p.) produced significant increases in the concentrations of NT in the nucleus accumbens and anterior and posterior caudate. This effect was dose-dependent. Maximal increases in NT concentration were observed 18 hr after a single dose of BMY 14802. Neither acute nor chronic treatment with the sigma "agonist" (+)-SKF 10,047 (20 mg/kg i.p.), the N-methyl-D-aspartate-phencyclidine binding site antagonist MK-801 (0.25 mg/kg i.p.) or the selective D2 antagonist sulpiride (100 mg/kg i.p.), produced the pattern of NT alterations observed after the administration of BMY 14802. These findings suggest that the blockade of sigma receptors modulates NT concentrations in these brain regions.
Comparison of Resistance of Bacteria and Embryonic Tissue to Germicidal Substances. VIII. Mercuric Chloride

The use of mercuric chloride as a disinfectant dates from the time of Robert Koch.1 It has long been recognized as one of the most powerful disinfectants known. The germicidal power is exceedingly high in aqueous solution but enormously reduced in the presence of organic matter and some inorganic ions. It is precipitated by proteins and other organic compounds, hard water, alkalies, numerous salts, metals and sulfides.It appears to be definitely established that mercuric chloride owes its germicidal properties to the positive or mercuric ion. This means that the compound is effective only in the dissociated state. Kronig and Paul2 found that a 1–500 solution of the mercurial salt in water is much less than twice as active as a 1–1,000 dilution. The addition of any substance suppressing ionization causes a decrease in its germicidal efficiency. Sodium or ammonium chloride is sometimes added to increase the stability of the compound, but the germicidal power is greatly reduced due to a decrease in ionizatio...
Research on innovation of the agricultural enterprises I. Discussion on the management source of agricultural enterprises

In the paper,the sources of current management on agricultural enterprises in China was discussed,it was considered that pushing household contract responsibility system has given the peasants the right to manage the production by themselves and the right of making decision and dealing with the products.This practice has made great advantages and possibility to agricultural enterprises management.The development of rural enterprises is the specific practice of agricultural enterprises management,and it indicated the objective inevitability of the agricultural enterprises management,and the necessity,feasibility and a wide adaptation of development.The management of agricultural industrialization is the continuance of the management of agricultural enterprises and is one of the "three forms" of the agricultural enterprises management.The agricultural co-operating economic organization is an important form of the management of agricultural enterprises but not a means of it.The management of agricultural enterprises will be extended and pushed on quickly,with the extension of household contract responsibility system and the development of rural enterprises and the management of the agricultural industrial management.
Alpha-adrenergic-mediated reflex responses to induced muscular contraction are changed with age in dogs

Aging significantly affects reflex cardiovascular (CV) responses to induced muscular contraction in anesthetized dogs. To further investigate whether age-related changes in alpha-adrenergic-mediated responses to muscular contraction contribute to these previously reported age-related changes in CV responses associated with advanced age, hemodynamic and regional blood flow (BF) responses at baseline and during hindlimb contraction (HLC) were evaluated both before and after alpha-blockade (alpha-AB) in older (8-14 yr old) and in younger (2-3 yr old) beagles during alpha-chloralose anesthesia. alpha-AB with phentolamine resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions in mean arterial pressure before and during HLC, regardless of age. However, age-related differences in the systemic vascular resistance, cardiac output, and stroke volume responses to HLC, observed before alpha-AB, were eliminated after phentolamine as the result of an age-related difference in each of these responses to alpha-AB. Baseline BF (microspheres) was unchanged after alpha-AB in seven of eight abdominal organs, regardless of age. However, reductions in BF during HLC were attenuated in seven of eight abdominal organs in the younger dogs after alpha-AB, but in none of these organs in the older dogs, indicative of diminished alpha-mediated vasoconstriction in these organs in the older dogs during HLC. Furthermore, the age-related difference in the combined BF reduction to all eight abdominal organs before alpha-AB was eliminated after alpha-AB. Finally, BF increases to two of four contracting muscles, as well as the combined increase in blood flow to all four contracting muscles, were attenuated after alpha-AB, regardless of age. These results demonstrate that alpha-blockade eliminates many of the age-related differences in CV responses to HLC observed before alpha-AB and suggest that alpha-adrenergic-mediated responses to HLC change with age in beagles.
The Return of the Goddess

This chapter is concerned with becoming, specifically feminine becoming. By “becoming,” I mean towards a state of transcendence beyond dominant masculinist knowledge, allowing all human beings to take their place as embodied living subjects in their own right, and without recourse to dualistic constructions of sex/gender. Drawing on the poststructuralist writings of Irigaray and the Divine, and feminist scholars I show how a rereading of feminine wisdom and leadership can help us move towards a location of transcendence, and to become sexed subjectivities. The investigation of feminine becoming will not draw on contemporary female leaders, but heroines in the tales of human morality and spirituality contained within the Hebrew Bible. Focusing specifically on Deborah in the Book of Judges, one of the earliest recorded female leaders, the aim is to contribute to a process of reimagining new readings of ancient leadership knowledges so as to further advance leadership theorizing by inscribing a feminine logic.
Integrating genomic resources with electronic health records using the HL7 infobutton standard

Background: The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) Electronic Health Record (EHR) Workgroup aims to integrate ClinGen resources with EHRs. A promising option to enable this integration is through the Health Level Seven (HL7) Infobutton Standard. EHR systems that are certified according to the US Meaningful Use program provide HL7-compliant infobutton capabilities, which can be leveraged to support clinical decision-making in genomics. Objectives: To integrate genomic knowledge resources using the HL7 infobutton standard. Two tactics to achieve this objective were: creating an HL7-compliant search interface for ClinGen, and proposing guidance for genomic resources on achieving HL7 Infobutton standard accessibility and compliance. Methods: We built a search interface utilizing OpenInfobutton, an open source reference implementation of the HL7 Infobutton standard. ClinGen resources were assessed for readiness towards HL7 compliance. Finally, based upon our experiences we provide recommendations for publishers seeking to achieve HL7 compliance. Results: Eight genomic resources and two sub-resources were integrated with the ClinGen search engine via OpenInfobutton and the HL7 infobutton standard. Resources we assessed have varying levels of readiness towards HL7-compliance. Furthermore, we found that adoption of standard terminologies used by EHR systems is the main gap to achieve compliance. Conclusion: Genomic resources can be integrated with EHR systems via the HL7 Infobutton standard using OpenInfobutton. Full compliance of genomic resources with the Infobutton standard would further enhance interoperability with EHR systems.
Strange bedfellows in science teacher preparation: conflicting perspectives on social justice presented in a Teach For America—university partnership

Teach For America (TFA), a widespread and well-known route into the teaching profession, frequently partners with university-based education programs to prepare and certify its corps members. However, university-based teacher education programs frequently emphasize very different understandings of socially just education and priorities for training teachers from those of TFA. Accordingly, science teachers trained through TFA-university partnerships encounter conflicting understandings of science education, justice, and urban communities as they are introduced to teaching practice. In this ethnographic case study we explored the experiences and reactions of a cohort of TFA corps members in a science methods course as they engaged with TFA’s perspective focused primarily on enhancing students’ social mobility and the methods course emphasizing democratic equality through scientific engagement. The study considers intersections between TFA’s approach to teacher preparation and sociocultural perspectives on equitable science teaching. The study also lends insight into the contradictions and challenges through which TFA science teachers develop understandings about their role as science teachers, purposes and goals of science education, and identities of the students and communities they serve.
PARTNERING TO BETTER SERVE VULNERABLE OLDER ADULTS: THE OPTIMIZE AGING COLLABORATIVE

AbstractAll U.S. communities are facing the demographic imperative of serving increasing social and medical needs of older adults. Despite this, there is poor integration of social and medical services, and most professionals working with older adults do not have formal training in key knowledge areas related to the care of older adults. In San Francisco, we formed a partnership of public, private and academic groups engaged in aging services, called the Optimize Aging Collaborative, with the goal of training all professionals in the skills needed to be competant in responding to the needs of all older adults. We included a specific focus on particularly vulnerable older adults- those who live alone, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or who have dementia. We will demonstrate how our collaborative has increased knowledge and commitment to improve the well being of older adults and which elements of this partnership contribute to its success.
A real distinct poles rational approximation of generalized Mittag-Leffler functions and their inverses: Applications to fractional calculus

Abstract The generalized Mittag-Leffler function and its inverse is very useful in solving fractional differential equations and structural derivatives, respectively. However, their computational complexities have made them difficult to deal with numerically. We propose a real distinct pole rational approximation of the generalized Mittag-Leffler function. Under some mild conditions, this approximation is proven and empirically shown to be L-Acceptable. Due to the complete monotonicity property of the Mittag-Leffler function, we derive a rational approximation for the inverse generalized Mittag-Leffler function. These approximations are especially useful in developing efficient and accurate numerical schemes for partial differential equations of fractional order. Several applications are presented such as complementary error function, solution of fractional differential equations, and the ultraslow diffusion model using the structural derivative.
Disorders of attachment in infancy

This article proposes a monology of attachment disorders that includes categories for disorders of nonattachment, disordered attachments, and lost or broken attachments. Current diagnostic classifications such as DSM-IV address only disorders of nonattachment. It is argued that a more comprehensive diagnostic classification system, which includes conflicts within the attachment relationship as well as grief and bereavement about loss, is needed in order to highlight the importance of attachment disorders in the etiology of mental health disturbances in infancy.
Wireframe: supporting data-dependent parallelism through dependency graph execution in GPUs

GPUs lack fundamental support for data-dependent parallelism and synchronization. While CUDA Dynamic Parallelism signals progress in this direction, many limitations and challenges still remain. This paper introduces Wireframe, a hardware-software solution that enables generalized support for data-dependent parallelism and synchronization. Wireframe enables applications to naturally express execution dependencies across different thread blocks through a dependency graph abstraction at run-time, which is sent to the GPU hardware at kernel launch. At run-time, the hardware enforces the dependencies specified in the dependency graph through a dependency-aware thread block scheduler. Overall, Wireframe is able to improve total execution time up to 65.20% with an average of 45.07%. CCS CONCEPTS • Computer systems organization → Single instruction, multiple data; Data flow architectures;
Optimal Control on Stochastic Time Scales

Abstract This paper addresses the optimal regulator problem for dynamic systems which evolve on discrete time domains where the time steps form a sequence of independent, identically distributed random variables. We introduce generalizations of the dynamic and algebraic Riccati equations and use them to find optimal gain matrices in both the finite-horizon and infinite-horizon case. Examples are presented.
Effect of electrical dyssynchrony on left and right ventricular mechanics in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background Electrical and right ventricular (RV) mechanical dyssynchrony has been previously described in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but less is known about the relationship between electrical dyssynchrony and biventricular function. In this study we applied cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to evaluate biventricular size and function with a focus on left ventricular (LV) strain mechanics in pediatric PAH patients with and without electrical dyssynchrony. Methods Fifty-six children with PAH and comprehensive CMR evaluation were stratified based on QRS duration z -score, with electrical dyssynchrony defined as z -score ≥2. Comprehensive biventricular volumetric, dyssynchrony, and strain analysis was performed. Results Nineteen PAH patients had or developed electrical dyssynchrony. Patients with electrical dyssynchrony had significantly reduced RV ejection fraction (35% vs 50%, p = 0.003) and greater end-diastolic (168 vs 112 ml/m 2 , p = 0.041) and end-systolic (119 vs 57, ml/m 2 , p = 0.026) volumes. Patients with electrical dyssynchrony had reduced RV longitudinal strain (–14% vs –19%, p = 0.007), LV circumferential strain measured at the free wall (–19% vs –22%, p = 0.047), and the LV longitudinal strain in the septal region (–10% vs –15%, p = 0.0268). LV mechanical intraventricular dyssynchrony was reduced in patients with electrical dyssynchrony at the LV free wall (43 vs 19 ms, p = 0.019). Conclusions The electrical dyssynchrony is associated with the reduced LV strain, enlarged RV volumes, and reduced biventricular function in children with PAH. CMR assessment of biventricular mechanical function with respect to QRS duration may help to detect pathophysiologic processes associated with progressed PAH.
Incompressible Solutions About High-Lift Wing Configurations

Accurately predicting the performance of high-lift wing configurations with Computational Fluid Dynamics is an active area of research for academia and industry alike. The compressible Navier–Stokes equations are usually used in these studies to predict the complex flow field generated by high lift wing configurations. However, since these configurations are applied in low-speed conditions where \(Mach \le 0.2\), the compressible equations can exhibit some numerical stiffness caused by the quasi-incompressible nature of air under these conditions. Instead of using preconditioned compressible equations to alleviate these numerical issues, this work proposes the use of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations to predict these flow fields. Specifically, the incompressible solutions about the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency Standard Model configuration with and without nacelles and pylons are compared with experiment at multiple angles of attack to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Analogue Measures of DSM-IV Mood and Anxiety Disorders Based on Behavior Checklists

Although symptom checklists are commonly used to assess childpsychopathology, confusion arises due to differences between empirically derived checklist syndromes and rationally derived DSM-IV diagnostic categories. This paper explores analogue measures of DSM-IV mood and anxiety disorders created using items from the Youth Self-Report and Child Behavior Checklist (T. M. Achenbach, 1991a, 1991b) that parallel DSM-IV symptoms. In a matched sample of clinically referred and nonreferred adolescents, analogue measures demonstrated expected patterns of age differences, sex differences, and comorbidity. Meeting criteria for an analogue diagnosis was also associated with referral for mental health services and poor social competence. Informant effects are highlighted and the potential benefits and limitations of using existing behavior checklists to assess DSM disorders are discussed. These findings suggest the utility of checklists in identifying analogues of anxiety and mood disorders in children and adolescents.
Efficient Aerodynamic Method for Interacting Lifting Surfaces over Long Distances

This paper presents an efficient aerodynamic method for interacting lifting surfaces in the presence of wake interaction over long distances. The near wake is modeled using the traditional lifting ...
Ontology and Human-Nature Relationships

Environmental problems are first and foremost problems of relationship, where faulty interactions between individual human and more-than-human beings scale up to create various large-scale environmental crises. The origins of these problematic interactions lie in modern assumptions about what is possible in these relationships—specifically about what capacities more-than-human beings have to enter into them. This is ontology, where differences in ontological concepts should not be attributed to differences in human beliefs alone, but instead to the accuracy of interpretation of human-nature relational experiences. Modern humanist assumptions operate to distort these interpretations so that they are seen as not containing reciprocity or closeness. Such assumptions are traced to ecofeminist “human/nature dualisms” where humans are pre-installed as superior to reduced/inferior more-than-human partners. The book focuses on closeness both for its ameliorative effect on human-nature relationships and to convey that closeness is inherent in these relationships, but has been post hoc eradicated by human/nature dualisms.
Cell Counting and Segmentation of Immunohistochemical Images in the Spinal Cord: Comparing Deep Learning and Traditional Approaches

Estimation of cell nuclei in images stained for the c-fos protein using immunohistochemistry (IHC) is infeasible in large image sets. Use of multiple human raters to increase throughput often creates variance in the data analysis. Machine learning techniques for biomedical image analysis have been explored for cell-counting in pathology, but their performance on IHC staining, especially to label activated cells in the spinal cord is unknown. In this study, we evaluate different machine learning techniques to segment and count spinal cord neurons that have been active during stepping. We present a qualitative as well as quantitative comparison of algorithmic performance versus two human raters. Quantitative ratings are presented with cell-count statistics and Dice (DSI) scores. We also show the degree of variability between multiple human raters’ segmentations and observe that there is a higher degree of variability in segmentations produced by classic machine learning techniques (SVM and Random forest) as compared to the newer deep learning techniques. The work presented here, represents the first steps towards addressing the analysis time bottleneck of large image data sets generated by c-fos IHC staining techniques, a task that would be impossible to do manually.
Novel Quantitative Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Detection of Hypoxic Ischemic Injury in Neonates and Infants: Pilot Study 1.

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can accurately identify neonates and infants with hypoxic ischemic brain injury. METHODS In this prospective cohort study, 8 neonates and infants with a suspicion of hypoxic ischemic injury were evaluated with CEUS. RESULTS An interesting trend was observed in the central gray nuclei-to-cortex perfusion ratios. The ratios at the peak enhancement, wash-in area under the curve, perfusion index, and maximum wash-in slopes were lower in all of the affected cases compared to the normal group but not statistically significant given the small sample size (P = .0571). Additionally, when the central gray nuclei-to-cortex perfusion ratio was plotted for all time points along the time-intensity curve, it was observed that the affected cases showed a trend that was qualitatively different from that of the normal cases. In the affected cases, the ratio time-intensity curves either stayed below 1.0 for the entire enhancement period or reached 1.0 close to peak wash-in before falling just below 1.0 for the remaining period of enhancement. However, in the unaffected patients, there was a steep wash-in that crossed the 1.0 threshold and remained above 1.0 for most of the enhancement period. CONCLUSIONS Bedside CEUS is an easily obtainable brain-imaging modality that has the potential to effectively identify infants and neonates with evolving brain injury. A larger prospective study evaluating the correlation between CEUS findings and the reference standard of diffusion- and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is needed to establish it as a diagnostic tool.
Detecting DUI (Non) deterrence: A macro-methodology to uncover "restrictive v permissive" county jurisdictions in California.

Abstract This paper builds a method to detect the apparent restrictiveness or permissiveness of communities towards drunk-driving. A framework of three mutually interacting community domains is used to motivate a minimum set of DUI patterns to be expected from an appropriately deterrent environment. Based on the (simplified) system dynamics model, an empirical estimation strategy and scoring methodology is outlined. This “macroscopic” approach is demonstrated using results from time-series panel analyses of California’s 58 counties for the years 1990 to 2010 ( Van Vleck et al., 2017 ). The process successfully classified three-quarters of California counties, encompassing almost 90% of the state population. The paper demonstrates a potential tool to classify communities’ systemic behavior toward drinking-and-driving and other enforcement-sensitive subjects.
Application of Kaizen Principles to a Large Cochlear Implant Practice: A Continuous Quality Improvement Initiative at Mayo Clinic.

Objective To remove barriers and improve access for patients seeking cochlear implantation. Study design Prospective quality improvement study at a large tertiary academic care center. Methods A Kaizen quality improvement model was applied over the course of a year. Four weeklong meetings were used to identify areas for improvement and remediation. Data were collected at baseline, 90-days, and 1-year postcompletion of the project. Outcome measures included lead times, defined as the wait time between first contact with the clinic and the first appointment, and the wait time between surgery and activation, and cycle times defined as the total test time needed to determine cochlear implant candidacy, and total time needed to complete initial activation. The total inventory kept as clinic stock was also calculated RESULTS:: Kaizen team members collected data for each outcome measure. After the Kaizen principles were applied, the following outcomes were observed: median lead times between first contact with the clinic to candidacy testing, candidacy testing to surgery, and surgery to activation of the implant remained stable from baseline to 1-year follow-up. Median cycle time for candidacy testing decreased from 7.3 hours at baseline to 3.0 hours at 1-year follow-up. Cycle times for initial activation of the device did not change over time. The total inventory of clinic stock was reduced by 31%. Conclusions Though outcomes for lead and cycle times varied, implementation of Kaizen principles was found to be an effective method for completing this quality improvement project at a large cochlear implant program overall. Level of evidence 3a.
Asymptotic Properties for Linear Processes of Functionals of Reversible or Normal Markov Chains

In this paper we study the asymptotic behavior of linear processes having as innovations mean zero, square integrable functions of stationary reversible or normal Markov chains. In doing so we shall preserve the generality of coefficients assuming only that they are square summable. In this way we include in our study the long range dependence case. The only assumption imposed on the innovations for reversible Markov chains is the absolute summability of their covariances. Besides the central limit theorem we also study the convergence to fractional Brownian motion. The proofs are based on general results for linear processes with stationary innovations that have interest in themselves.
Reply to Jiang and Zhang: Parallel transcriptomic signature of monogamy: What is the null hypothesis anyway?

To explore whether parallel transcriptomic patterns underlie behavioral similarities across vertebrates, we compared the brain transcriptomes of 5 species pairs representing independent transitions to monogamy. We found similar expression patterns associated with monogamy across deep phylogenetic distances (1). In their letter (2), Jiang and Zhang reanalyze our publicly available data. When comparing “expression level differences of orthologous genes,” they find “divergences followed the species phylogeny.” Further, they find 15 orthologous gene groups (OGGs; in contrast to our 42) with concordant expression changes, concluding that “expression levels of a very small number of genes” are associated with monogamy. We thank Jiang and Zhang (2) for engaging in discourse … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: youngrl{at}utexas.edu or hans{at}utexas.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1