cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reducing Aggressive Behavior of Mentally Retarded Persons

Aggressive behavior by mentally retarded persons is a cause for concern for all helping professionals. One reason is that aggressive behavior may endanger the safety of the client himself, other mentally retarded clients, and/or the staff who deal directly with the clientele. Obviously, behavior such as attacking other clients or throwing furniture can cause serious safety hazards. A second reason is that this behavior can and does demand considerable staff attention, and thus subtracts from the total time that the staff can devote to more habilitative procedures (e.g., job training, self-care, etc.). It is precisely for these reasons that many techniques have been developed to help reduce aggressive responding in mentally retarded clients.
Ownership Increase in International Joint Ventures: The Within- and Across-Country Flexibility Perspective

We employ the real options perspective to examine how multinational corporations (MNCs) increase ownership levels in their international joint ventures (IJVs) to exploit (or utilize) both within- and across-country flexibility. This paper utilize a rich dataset of South Korean firms’ foreign affiliates to test hypotheses derived from the real options theory. It examines the roles of growth options that require small equity stakes under uncertainty as well as switching options that require controlling equity stakes to coordinate switching implementation. Specifically, we examine how the ownership of jointly-owned foreign subsidiaries changes under the influence of changing labor cost uncertainty. We utilize a two-stage model to address the sample selection bias associated with a subsidiary’s choice of joint venture under the influence of high labor cost uncertainty. In the first stage, we run a probit model with a dummy variable for JVs and wholly-owned subsidiaries (WOSs) (1: JV, 0: WOS) as the dependent variable. In the second stage, we run a panel logistic regression model (STATA command, “xtlogit”). We found that MNCs engaged in greenfield IJVs increase their initial ownership when labor cost uncertainty within their host countries is favorably resolved. We also found that MNCs’ tendency to increase their IJV ownership intensifies when their subsidiary networks are exposed to negatively correlated labor cost growth rates across countries. Taking within and across country flexibility perspective, this study adds new insights on MNC ownership changes, especially in IJVs. Based upon our findings, we conclude that MNCs make flexible ownership adjustments for their foreign subsidiaries in response to different uncertainty conditions within and across countries.
Dual stress capping layer enhancement study for hybrid orientation finFET CMOS technology

3D stress in FinFET and tri-gate FET structures induced by a tensile or compressive capping layer is studied via simulation. The classic bulk-Si piezoresistance model is then used to predict the impact on carrier mobilities. A tensile capping layer is expected to provide dramatic enhancements (>100%) in electron mobility for a (100)-sidewall fin with lang100rang current flow, while a compressive capping layer is expected to provide modest enhancement (<25%) in hole mobility for a (110)-sidewall fin with lang110rang current flow. Mobility enhancement will be greater for fins with higher aspect ratio, so that a stressed capping layer is expected to be more effective for enhancing FinFET performance
Architecture of the Parallel Programming Support Environment

A top-level view of the architecture of the Parallel Programming Support Environment (PPSE), which is an experimental set of tools for use in the design and implementation of software systems for parallel computing systems, is proposed. The tools include a graphical design editor, a graphical target machine description system, a task mapper/scheduler tool, parallel code generator, and graphical aids for performance analysis. The objective is, to the extent possible, to design and develop parallel software with little regard for the details of the architecture of the target machine, programming language, or parallel computing paradigm that the program is to use. A prototype of the environment running on the Macintosh was developed. It was used to parallelize a small image-processing application and several simple programs. >
Quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis: the impact of fatigue and depression.

Abstract Quality of Life (QOL) is impaired in multiple sclerosis (MS) in part due to physical disability. MS-associated fatigue (MSF) and depression (MSD) are common and treatable features of MS, which could also impact on QOL, independent of physical disability. We prospectively studied 60 consecutive patients with MS. QOL was assessed using Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL)-54. Group differences in QOL scores were assessed after adjusting for Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Hamilton Depression Inventory scores. MS patients were grouped into relapsing–remitting (RR) or secondary-progressive (SP), MSF (FSS≥5) or MS-nonfatigue (MSNF) (FSS≤4), and MSD or MS-nondepression (MSND). After accounting for disability and depression, fatigue was associated with impaired QOL with respect to health perception (p=0.03) and limitations due to physical dysfunction (p=0.008). After accounting for disability and fatigue, depression was associated with lower QOL with respect to health perception (p=0.02), sexual dysfunction (p=0.03), health distress (p=0.03), mental health (p=0.006), overall QOL (p=0.006), emotional dysfunction (p=0.04), and limitations due to emotional dysfunction (p=0.03). This study demonstrates that fatigue and depression are independently associated with impaired QOL in MS, after accounting for physical disability, suggesting that their recognition and treatment can potentially improve QOL.
Large-Scale Global and Simultaneous Inference: Estimation and Testing in Very High Dimensions

Due to rapid technological advances, researchers are now able to collect and analyze ever larger data sets. Statistical inference for big data often requires solving thousands or even millions of parallel inference problems simultaneously. This poses significant challenges and calls for new principles, theories, and methodologies. This review provides a selective survey of some recently developed methods and results for large-scale statistical inference, including detection, estimation, and multiple testing. We begin with the global testing problem, where the goal is to detect the existence of sparse signals in a data set, and then move to the problem of estimating the proportion of nonnull effects. Finally, we focus on multiple testing with false discovery rate (FDR) control. The FDR provides a powerful and practical approach to large-scale multiple testing and has been successfully used in a wide range of applications. We discuss several effective data-driven procedures and also present efficient strate...
Bursts make new waves

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been in the news this year, as it has become clear that these long-enigmatic and immensely violent astronomical events are occurring at cosmological distances — not, as might have been the case, in our Galaxy. A meeting to discuss these and more recent findings proved to be a historic event. As astronomers come to concentrate on the `how' rather than the `where' of this phenomenon, we should see the beginning of a new era in high-energy astrophysics — GRBs as another probe of cosmological distances in the early Universe.
Effects of Perceived Scarcity on Financial Decision Making

AbstractHow are financial decisions compromised as scarcity increases? Extant research focuses mostly on the consequences of financial scarcity; moreover, this factor is treated simply as a lack of liquidity. Using a mixed-method approach, the authors investigate the dimensions of perceived scarcity and the ways they work in tandem to negatively influence perceptions and decisions. Internal influences (including perceived consequences) and external influences (including decreased lending options) lead to results described in this article as the “triple scarcity effect.” Experimental results show how perceived financial scarcity undermines loan decisions, particularly for consumers at the greatest financial risk. Next, qualitative data collected from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are used for a between-method triangulation of the earlier findings. Understanding the multidimensionality of perceived financial scarcity is important for designing preventive measures that improve decisions (e.g., not...
Shaping a Wearable and Ubiquitous Computing Curriculum

Creation of a Wearable and Ubiquitous computing curriculum is an apt response to the rapid growth of the Internet of Things and its subsequent devices around the world. The authors have created an advanced concentration in Wearable and Ubiquitous Computing at the Bachelor of Science level.
A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic approach to evaluating the safety of zebularine in non-human primates

1309 DB67 (7-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin; NSC 708298) is a camptothecin analog that has high intrinsic potency against topoisomerase I and impressive anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo. In preparation for clinical trials, the toxicity of DB67 was investigated in groups of male and female beagle dogs (2/sex/group) and Fischer rats (10/sex/group) given single iv bolus doses of DB67 or vehicle once daily for 5 consecutive days for 2 cycles (Days 1-5 and Days 8-12). DB67 was formulated as a solution in cremophor EL:ethanol:saline (12.5:12.5:75). No mortality was observed for dogs given doses of 0.25 or 0.375 mg/kg/day (5 or 7.5 mg/m2/day) (total dose/cycle: 1.25 or 1.88 mg/kg; 25 or 37.6 mg/m2). Drug-related clinical signs of gastrointestinal toxicity included decreased food consumption and body weight loss. Drug-related clinical pathological changes observed during the dose period included neutropenia, lymphopenia, and anemia. Mean blood concentrations of DB67 at 2 minutes after dosing were similar on Days 8 and 12 and were 370 ng/mL (773 nM) and 406 ng/mL (848 nM) for dogs in the 0.25 mg/kg/day dose group, and 478 ng/mL (998 nM) and 510 ng/mL (1066 nM) for dogs in the 0.375 mg/kg/day dose group. Possible drug-related histopathological changes observed on Day 13, but not on Day 40, were limited to decreased lymphocytes in the thymus for dogs given 0.25 or 0.375 mg/kg/day. For rats given 0.5, 1, or 3 mg/kg/day (3, 6, or 18 mg/m2/day) (total dose/cycle: 5, 10, or 30 mg/kg; 30, 60, or 180 mg/m2), a no effect dose level was not observed. Mortality occurred for 2/10 rats in the vehicle control group and 1/10 rats in the 1 mg/kg/day dose group. Dose-related hematopoietic toxicity (including decreased RBC, HGB, HCT, reticulocytes, platelets, WBC, neutrophils, and/or lymphocytes) and potential drug-related decreases in BUN, creatinine, ALP, ALT, total protein, and albumin were observed. Dose-related histopathological lesions that were observed for rats necropsied on Days 10-13, but not for rats necropsied on Day 42, included lesions in the bone marrow (atrophy of blood-forming elements) and thymus (lymphocyte depletion) of animals in the 0.5, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day dose groups. Vehicle-induced lesions were also observed on Day 11 or 13 in the brain (focal malacia), spleen (cytoplasmic vacuolization of macrophages), and kidneys (eosinophilic cytoplasmic crystals in the proximal tubules); these lesions were either absent (kidney) or present in an attenuated form on Day 42. No sex-related differences in toxicity were observed for dogs or rats given DB67. The toxicity of DB67 appeared to be reversible in both dogs and rats. (Supported by NCI Contract N01-CM-42201).
Efficient online learning with low-precision synaptic variables

Current neuromorphic devices suffer from major limitations in their ability to perform on-chip online learning. These limitations often derive from their poor memory capacity, which is due to the low precision of the variables representing the synaptic weights. Here we present simple constructions of synaptic models with low-precision dynamical variables that can continually store and preserve a large number of memories, which grows almost linearly with the number of synapses per neuron. In addition, the initial memory strength, which is related to the generalization ability of the network, is also high in these models, and scales approximately like the square root of the number of synapses. These favorable properties are obtained by orchestrating multiple interacting processes that operate on different timescales, to ensure the memory strength decays as slowly as the inverse square root of the age of the corresponding synaptic modification. This decay curve achieves an optimal compromise between large memory strengths and long lifetimes. We discuss digital implementations of such synapses suitable for neuromorphic hardware. They are efficient in the sense of requiring only a small number of bits per synapse, and respond robustly to auto-correlated sequences of synaptic modifications.
Uranyl acetate induced DNA single strand breaks and AP sites in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Abstract The aim of this study is to characterize the genotoxicity of depleted uranium (DU) in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO) with mutations in various DNA repair pathways. CHO cells were exposed to 0–300 μM of soluble DU as uranyl acetate (UA) for 0–48 h. Intracellular UA concentrations were measured via inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxicity was assessed in vitro by clonogenic survival assay. DNA damage response was assessed via Fast Micromethod® to determine UA-induced DNA single strand breaks. Results indicate that UA is entering the CHO cells, with the highest concentration localizing in the nucleus. Clonogenic assays show that UA is cytotoxic in each cell line with the greatest cytotoxicity in the base excision repair deficient EM9 cells and the nuclear excision repair deficient UV5 cells compared to the non-homologous end joining deficient V3.3 cells and the parental AA8 cells after 48 h. This indicates that UA is producing single strand breaks and forming UA-DNA adducts rather than double strand breaks in CHO cells. Fast Micromethod® results indicate an increased amount of single strand breaks in the EM9 cells after 48 h UA exposure compared to the V3.3 and AA8 cells. These results indicate that DU induces DNA damage via strand breaks and uranium-DNA adducts in treated cells. These results suggest that: (1) DU is genotoxic in CHO cells, and (2) DU is inducing single strand breaks rather than double strand breaks in vitro.
Phase Field Study of Lattice Instability and Nanostructure Evolution in Silicon During Phase Transformation Under Complex Loading

An advanced phase-field approach (PFA) to study martensitic phase transformations is developed for finite strains, particularly taking into account crystal lattice instability conditions under complex triaxial compression-tension loading obtained using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Calibration of novel phase-field instability criteria with those from MD simulations for Si I \( \leftrightarrow \) Si II phase transformations leads to unexpected interpolation functions for transformation strain and elastic constants. A finite element algorithm and a numerical procedure are developed and implemented using code deal.II. The effect of stress state on lattice instability and nanostructure evolution is studied. Within a specific stress range for which direct and reverse transformation instability stresses coincide, a unique homogeneous, hysteresis-free, and dissipation-free transformation is observed. For such a transformation, a continuum of intermediate phases exists along the transformation path, all in indifferent thermodynamic equilibrium. The absence of interfaces results in the absence of internal stresses and minimizes damage. All these properties are optimal for various PT-related applications.
Mixed-Mode Simulation and Implementation

This chapter describes the methods involved in implementing a mixed-mode simulator and a tool that is to be used in conjunction with it. The iSPLICE3 program [SAL89A] is used as an implementation case study since it uses many of the algorithms described in the previous four chapters. The chapter begins with an overview of the architecture of iSPLICE3. Then, the mechanisms associated with the implementation of an event scheduler are presented. Following this, event scheduling policies during the transient analysis are described. Next, the techniques used to obtain the dc solution are provided. This is followed by a description of an automatic mixed-mode partitioning tool called iSPLIT [THA92]. This program converts a transistor level description into a mixed-mode description that can be used to drive the iSPLICE3 program. Finally, a large benchmark circuit is used to demonstrate the typical performance of mixed-mode simulators at the end of the chapter.
Androgen Regulation of Ocular Mucosal- and Auto-Immunity

At present, it is known that androgens exert a tremendous impact on the development, expression and function of the immune system in both health and disease. In brief, these hormones have been shown to: [a] influence the maturation, proliferation and/or activity of pluripotent stem cells, B cells, T cells and macrophages; [b] modulate the synthesis, secretion and/or action of antibodies, cytokines and growth factors; [c] alter the production of autoantibodies and the formation of immune complexes; [d] affect the immune response to, and clearance of, antigens; [e] control the generation of thymic factors and secretory component (SC), the IgA antibody receptor; and [f] modify the rejection of allografts, the extent of graft vs. host disease, the magnitude of inflammation, and the onset and severity of autoimmune disease.e.g.1–6 The precise nature of these androgen actions is exceedingly dependent upon the specific target cell, the local microenvironment, and the particular immunological process, and may result in enhancement, inhibition, or no effect, on immune expression.3 Nevertheless, it is quite apparent that androgens control multiple aspects of humoral, cell-mediated, mucosal and auto-immunity.
Active Site Probes of Nitrogenese

Nitrogenase possesses the ability, thus far unique, to cat alyze efficiently an ATP-dependent reduction of N2 to NH3 under physiological conditions. Nitrogenase is a versatile catalyst, capable of reducing other small, unsaturated molecules, such as C2H2, HCN, N2O and N 3 - . Unlike the parent compounds, higher homologs of these adventitious substrates generally are reduced poorly, or not detectably, by the enzyme. This situation has limited development of new nitrogenase reduction chemistry as a strategy to elucidate active site properties. Not long ago, we introduced the concept of using a strained ring system as a chemical probe for nitrogenase. This approach is currently being implemented in our laboratory by studies of product formation parameters, relative reduction rates, inhibition kinetics, effects on H2 evolution, and deuterium labeling patterns in reduction products. The results obtained are providing new information on nitrogenase substrate binding, reduction stereochemistry, and other mechanistically significant aspects of nitrogenase function. The enzymological data also create new criteria to evaluate nitrogenase model chemistry and co-factor function.
On strain localization in the high rate extension of nylon fibers

A simple analytical model for the adiabatic high strain rate extension of synthetic textile fibers is presented. The model suggests that, for fibers with particular thermo-mechanical and constitutive properties, initial nominally uniform strain distributions along the fiber will tend to become non-uniform, with localization of axial strain into a thermally softened region. To assess the usefulness of the model in predicting and interpreting fiber behavior, a commercial nylon filament is investigated experimentally. Nylon filaments are extended to break at a low, isothermal strain rate (0.0015 s−1) and at a high, adiabatic strain rate (70 s−1). A dimensionless strain localization parameter (SLP), used to characterize the nylon filament in the framework of the model, predicts strain localization to occur during extension at the 70 s−1 strain rate. Experimental load-extension curves exhibit a sharply reduced elongation-to-break at the high strain rate, consistent with the predicted occurrence of localized, versus uniform, straining. In addition, the transition from homogeneous to localized straining appears to occur at elongations that correspond with the SLP attaining a critical value for onset of localization.
Biomaterials as vectors for the delivery of CRISPR–Cas9

The emergence of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system has brought much hope and excitement to the field of gene therapy and the larger scientific community. However, in order for CRISPR-based therapies to be translated to the clinical setting, there is an urgent need to develop optimized vectors for their delivery. The delivery vector is a crucial determinant of the therapeutic efficacy of gene editing and should be designed to accommodate various factors including the form of the payload, the physiological environment, and the potential immune responses. Recently, biomaterials have become an attractive option for the delivery of Cas9 due to their tunability, biocompatibility and increasing efficacy at drug delivery. Biomaterials offer a unique solution for creating tailored vectors to meet the demands of various applications that cannot be easily met by other delivery methods. In this review, we will discuss the various biomaterial systems that have been used to deliver Cas9 in its plasmid, mRNA and protein forms. In addition, the functions of these materials will be reviewed to understand their roles in Cas9 delivery. Finally, the immune challenges associated with Cas9 and the delivery materials will be discussed as an understanding of the immune responses along with the functions of biomaterials will ultimately guide the field in designing new delivery systems for the clinical applications of CRISPR-Cas9.
Near-Optimal Reinforcement Learning in Dynamic Treatment Regimes

A dynamic treatment regime (DTR) consists of a sequence of decision rules, one per stage of intervention, that dictates how to determine the treatment assignment to patients based on evolving treatments and covariates' history. These regimes are particularly effective for managing chronic disorders and is arguably one of the key aspects towards more personalized decision-making. In this paper, we investigate the online reinforcement learning (RL) problem for selecting optimal DTRs provided that observational data is available. We develop the first adaptive algorithm that achieves near-optimal regret in DTRs in online settings, without any access to historical data. We further derive informative bounds on the system dynamics of the underlying DTR from confounded, observational data. Finally, we combine these results and develop a novel RL algorithm that efficiently learns the optimal DTR while leveraging the abundant, yet imperfect confounded observations.
Modeling, Analysis, and Reduction of Harmonics in Paralleled and Interleaved Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped Inverters With Space Vector Modulation

Paralleling three phase three-level inverters is gaining popularity in industrial applications. However, analytical models for the harmonics calculation of a three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter with popular space vector modulation (SVM) are not found in the literature. Moreover, how interleaving angle impacts the dc- and ac-side harmonics and electromagnetic interference (EMI) harmonics in parallel interleaved three-level inverters and how to optimize interleaving angle to reduce these harmonics have not been discussed in the literature. Furthering previous study, this article presents the modeling, analysis, and reduction of harmonics in paralleled and interleaved three-level NPC inverters with SVM. Analytical models for harmonic calculation are developed, and the dc-side harmonics characteristics of an NPC inverter are identified. The impact of interleaving angle on the ac-side voltage and dc-link current harmonics of parallel interleaved three-level NPC inverters is comprehensively studied. The impact of switching frequency and interleaving angle on EMI harmonics is also illustrated. Optimal interleaving angle ranges to reduce these harmonics are derived analytically. The developed models and harmonic reduction analysis are verified experimentally with two paralleled and interleaved three-level NPC inverters.
Pulmonary hemorrhage in children with Alagille syndrome undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Objectives To evaluate the incidence, severity, and outcomes of pulmonary hemorrhage in children with Alagille syndrome (AGS) undergoing cardiac catheterization, and to find variables associated with hemorrhage in this population. Background Children with AGS have a high incidence of bleeding complications during invasive procedures. It has been our impression that catheterization-associated pulmonary hemorrhage is more common in children with AGS, but there are no published data on this topic. Methods This was a retrospective single institution study of children with AGS undergoing catheterization from 2010 to 2018. Pulmonary hemorrhage was defined as angiographic or fluoroscopic evidence of extravasated blood in the lung parenchyma, or blood suctioned from the endotracheal tube with documentation of pulmonary hemorrhage by the anesthesiologist or intensivist. Univariate comparisons were made between catheterizations that did and did not have pulmonary hemorrhage. Results Thirty children with AGS underwent 87 catheterizations, 32 (37%) with interventions on the branch pulmonary arteries (PA). There were 26 (30%) procedures with hemorrhage, the majority (65%) of which were self-limited or required less than 24 hr of mechanical ventilation. Moderate and severe hemorrhage occurred only in children with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF; 5 of 14, 36%). A higher right ventricle to aorta systolic pressure ratio (1.0 [0.85-1.1] vs. 0.88 [0.59-1.0], p = .029) and interventions on the branch PAs (14 of 26, 54% vs. 18 of 61, 30%, p = .032) were associated with hemorrhage. Conclusions Pulmonary hemorrhage was common in children with AGS undergoing both intervention and diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and was associated with TOF, higher RV to aorta pressure ratio, and interventions on the branch PAs.
Electronic Cigarette Use and Related Factors among Active Duty Service Members in the U.S. Military.

INTRODUCTION Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasingly used in the U.S.A. by young people. As young adults serve as the primary recruiting pool for military, active duty service members in military may be susceptible to using e-cigarettes. However, factors related to e-cigarette use in military population have rarely been studied. We aimed to identify factors associated with e-cigarette use and factors related to duration of use among active duty service members. MATERIALS AND METHODS Subjects (N = 2,467) from Fort Bragg Army Base, North Carolina and Lackland Air Force Base, Texas completed a self-administered questionnaire during July 2015 to May 2016 time frame. The questionnaire collected data on demographic and military characteristics, tobacco use (including e-cigarette use) and other information. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify significant factors associated with e-cigarette use. Stepwise linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with duration of use. RESULTS A total of 356 (14.4%) study participants reported ever use of e-cigarettes. There was no significant difference in prevalence of use between the two military installations (15.6% at Fort Bragg vs. 13.2% at Lackland, P = 0.097). Increased use of e-cigarettes was associated with young age (20-24 years old) (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.22-3.22), enlisted military rank (E1-E4: OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.36-4.40; E5-E9: OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.10-3.21), low perception of harm (OR = 5.18, 95% CI = 3.65-7.34), former (OR = 9.12, 95% CI = 6.29-13.22) and current (OR = 13.24, 95% CI = 9.22-19.02) cigarette smoking, and former smokeless tobacco use (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.33-3.22), former (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.42-4.85) and current (OR = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.82-4.37) cigar or pipe smoking. However, serving mainly in combat unit during deployment was associated with decreased odds of use (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.34-0.97). Among e-cigarette users, the number of years using e-cigarettes was significantly longer among the participants with lower perception of harm than those with higher perception of harm (0.82 vs. 0.22, P < 0.001), and the duration was longer among subjects who used e-cigarette with nicotine than those without nicotine (0.79 vs. 0.49, P = 0.003). Finally, reasons for use differed markedly by cigarette smoking status. Never smokers used e-cigarette for the taste or flavor, while cigarette smokers used e-cigarette to help quit tobacco or reduce tobacco use. CONCLUSION Young age, lower military ranks, other tobacco use, and low perception of harm were associated with increased odds of using e-cigarettes, while serving in combat unit was associated with decreased odds of use in active duty service members. Low harm perception and using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes were associated with long duration of use. The reasons for using e-cigarettes differed by cigarette smoking status. Our study provides clues for future hypothesis-driven studies.
Malignant Pericardial Mesothelioma Treated Using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy With a Simultaneous Integrated Boost.

Abstract We report a case of malignant pericardial mesothelioma (MPcM) with epithelioid and sarcomatous features in a 28-year-old female. She presented with new onset orthopnea and dyspnea on exertion. Chest imaging revealed a large soft tissue mass in the left atrium. The patient underwent surgical resection with septal reconstruction, and initial preliminary pathology review indicated undifferentiated sarcoma with positive margin. She subsequently received 1 cycle of cyclophosphamide and adriamycin, however, outside additional pathology review revealed a diagnosis of pericardial malignant mesothelioma with epithelioid and sarcomatoid features. Her chemotherapy regimen was altered to carboplatin and pemetrexed, after which she completed 5 cycles. Heart imaging at one month post completion of chemotherapy demonstrated rapid local tumor recurrence. She was not a candidate for further surgical resection, and instead underwent definitive radiation therapy (RT) treating the entire left atrium with 54 Gy in 30 fractions with a simultaneous integrated boost of 60 Gy in 30 fractions to the recurrent gross disease. Follow-up imaging at one month after completion of RT demonstrated a local progression and the patient resumed further systemic therapy. Further imaging with a PET/CT at 3 months after completion of radiation therapy revealed resolution of hypermetabolic uptake at the left atrium and she was actively being evaluated for possible further resection.
Regulatory role of cardiomyocyte metabolism via AMPK activation in modulating atrial structural, contractile, and electrical properties following atrial fibrillation.

The number of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been rising due to increased incidence, enhanced detection methods, and greater survival rates following diagnosis. Due to this in...
Destructive Full Duplex Relay for Commodity RFID System

Commodity passive RFID tags are widely used in different kinds of real-world applications such as access control, asset tracking, gesture recognition and localization. In this paper, we present the destructive full duplex relay for the commodity RFID system. This destructive full duplex relay is designed as amplify-and-forward relay, which can relay the messages between the reader and RFID tag. To achieve destructive addition at the reader, the full duplex relay node hears the backscattered signal from the tag, and amplifies and forwards it to the desired RFID reader. The reader receives the forwarded signal from the full duplex relay node and the backscattered signal from the RFID tag, which are destructively added at the reader such that the reader hears nothing from the tag. To protect the legitimate RFID communication, the reader leverages randomized signal to disable destructive full duplex relay. We implement the destructive full duplex relay with off-the-shelf software radios (e.g., USRP N210) and do extensive experiments to show its performance.
Eigenvalues of Šeba billiards with localization of low-energy eigenfunctions

We study the localization of eigenfunctions produced by a point scatterer on a thin rectangle. We find an explicit set of eigenfunctions localized to part of the rectangle by showing that the one-dimensional Schrodinger operator with a Dirac delta potential asymptotically governs the spectral properties of the two-dimensional point scatterer. We also find the rate of localization in terms of the aspect ratio of the rectangle. In addition, we present numerical results regarding the asymptotic behavior of the localization.
Retrospective Hair Cortisol Concentrations from Pretreatment to Early Recovery in Alcohol Use Disorder

Cortisol profiles are known to vary across phases of alcohol use disorder (AUD; e.g. chronic use, withdrawal and early/sustained recovery). These patterns have largely been established through between-subjects contrasts. Using a segmental hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) approach, retrospective longitudinal analyses are feasible. Here, we examine monthly cortisol secretion in treatment-seekers with AUD from alcohol use to abstinence. At ~6 weeks of recovery we collected hair samples from individuals with moderate-to-severe AUD. We examined HCC from three consecutive segments; proximal to the scalp representing the most recent month (sustained abstinence from alcohol), the midsegment representing the previous month in which abstinence was attained, and the distal segment representing 2 months prior during active drinking. Analyses examined main and interactive effects of segment and sex, controlling for monthly alcohol consumption. Best fit by a quadratic shape, within-subject change was significant (F1,15 = 5.27, P = 0.04, ηpartial2 = 0.26). The distal and midsegments did not differ from one another (P = 0.51). The proximal segment was significantly lower than both the distal (M∆ = 0.200, P = 0.004) and mid (M∆ = 0.175, P < 0.001) segments. An effect of sex approached significance suggesting women had modestly higher HCC than men (MWOMEN = 1.37 vs. MMEN = 1.02, P = 0.10). Consistent with previous cross-sectional reports, these data confirm nonlinear patterns of cortisol accumulation with elevations apparent during periods of alcohol consumption and a decrease in abstinence. Capturing these within-subject patterns via HCC trajectories may serve as a valuable resource in identifying profiles associated with increased risk and post-treatment outcomes.
A change of setting: Measuring language use in an overseas immersion context

Abstract Though study abroad (SA) is becoming an increasingly popular educational avenue for second-language (L2) learners, there is little knowledge of what factors create a successful learning experience. One methodological approach is to consider the amount of time students use their L2 while abroad, and subsequently consider what factors (linguistic, personal, or social) might lead to increased or diminished L2 use. The current study examines data collected in 2010, in which 27 learners from an intensive overseas-immersion program in Spain completed the Language Contact Profile (LCP). Throughout the program, the learners were bound to a language commitment, pledging to speak, read, and write only in their L2. The results presented here, both quantitative and qualitative, suggest that the language pledge was largely followed, reflecting high levels of L2 use; the results also allude to some advantages and disadvantages of using the LCP to track language use.
Relative Age Effects as Evidence of Selection Bias in Major League Baseball Draftees (2013-2018).

ABSTRACT Herring, CH, Beyer, KS, and Fukuda, DH. Relative age effects as evidence of selection bias in major league baseball draftees (2013-2018). J Strength Cond Res 35(3): 644-651, 2021-The purpose of this study was to examine if relative age effects (RAEs) or the unequal birth-date distribution among a cohort group of individuals exist in Major League Baseball (MLB) draftees. This study comprised 7,078 men drafted in the MLB first-year player draft from 2013 to 2018. Data collected for each draftee included birth date, year drafted, academic-level classification, position, round drafted, batting side, and throwing arm. Draftee's birth dates were categorized into quarters based on the calendar year for baseball in the United States (Q1: August-October; Q2: November-January; Q3: February-April; Q4: May-July). Player birth-date distributions were compared with average expected birth-date distributions and evaluated with the χ2 goodness of fit statistic. Significant χ2 tests were followed up by calculating the standardized residual for each quarter. Differences from the expected frequencies were found for the overall group (p < 0.001) with standardized residuals for baseball athletes born in Q1 (z = +4.45) and Q3 (z = -4.15) exceeding ±2.0. Similar patterns were noted for high schoolers (Q1: z = +3.30; Q3: z = -3.28), pitchers (Q1: z = +2.78; Q3: z = -3.12), early middle rounders (Q1: z = +3.08; Q3: z = -2.67), late rounders (Q1: z = +2.70; Q3: z = -2.61), right-side hitters (Q1: z = +3.23; Q3: z = -2.26), left-handed pitchers (Q1: z = + 2.12; Q3: z = -2.59), and right-handed positional players (Q1: z = +3.12; Q3: z = -2.12). Consistent with the majority of previous research, RAEs are apparent in MLB draftees, with specific patterns of unequal distribution among subsets of athletes.
Access to care versus access to coverage: what can we learn from the Louisiana State hospital model?

Publicly-funded direct access-to-care models are so clearly inadequate in most of the United States that little attention has been devoted to them as alternatives to insurance expansions for low-income populations. Louisiana's state hospital system is an unusually comprehensive access-to-care model in a particularly poor state. This paper describes a series of improvements made in the Louisiana State University (LSU) hospital system under the rubric of a healthcare effectiveness campaign begun in 1997. They have made Louisiana's access-to-care model a workable avenue for providing healthcare services for its low-income population. But financial instability and shortfalls threaten the sustainability of the LSU hospital system both in terms of annual operating budgets and money for capital improvements.
L'architecture entre pratique et connaissance scientifique

Le 16 janvier 2015, l’amphitheâtre Marguerite-de-Navarre du College de France, a ete le cadre d’un debat sur l’histoire, l’actualite et les perspectives de la recherche en architecture. La rencontre entre les differents intervenants venus de France, de Suisse, d’Italie, du Canada et du Japon avait pour objectif d’afficher la recherche architecturale comme champ de travail scientifique. L’essor de la recherche a ete parallele a celui de l’architecture renouvelee, apparue en France a partir du milieu des annees 1960. Celle-ci s’est formee et consolidee selon des modalites originales, notamment sous l’egide du Comite d’orientation de la recherche et du developpement en architecture (Corda), cree en 1972, et des programmes qui lui ont succede, jusqu’a ceux de l’actuel Bureau de la recherche architecturale, urbaine et paysagere (Braup). Comme le revelent les textes rassembles, le champ thematique en a ete et reste fort large, des questions climatiques a celles de l’habitation. Les frontieres entre les investigations scientifiques et la pratique de l’architecture se revelent poreuses. Loin d’etre statique, le paysage decouvert a travers l’evocation des theories, l’epistemologie de la recherche et les experiences acquises depuis des decennies dans des domaines revelateurs est riche de surprises fecondes.
Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted patients with conditions that are associated with significant morbidity, but might not be immediately life-threatening. Patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) were affected by delays in care, potentially increasing major limb amputations. This study sought to review strategies employed, and limb salvage outcomes reported, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We performed a literature review of the electronic database PubMed from December 2019 to December 2020. Articles subjected to analysis must have had a specific CLTI group before the pandemic to compare to the pandemic group. Case reports, case series, and non-CLTI comparisons were excluded. The literature search yielded 55 articles for review, of which 6 articles met criteria for analysis. The main classifications used for disease stratification included Rutherford, Fontaine, and SVS WIfI (Wound, Ischemia, Foot Infection). Overall, a decrease in vascular clinical volume was reported, ranging from 29% to 54%. A higher major limb amputation rate (2.6% to 32.2%) during the pandemic surge was reported in 5 of 6 publications. Four of 6 studies also reported minor amputations; 3 of these demonstrated an increase in minor amputations (7% to 17.7%). The CLTI population is vulnerable and it appears that both minor and major amputation rates increased in this population during the pandemic. The limited data available in CLTI patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and use of different stratifications schemes in areas impacted to variable extents prevent recommendations for the best treatment strategy. Further data are required to improve strategies for treating this population to minimize negative outcomes.
Surgical intervention for the aging face. Combination of mini-face-lifting and superficial carbon dioxide laser resurfacing.

background. Patients seeking facial rejuvenation often would benefit from a combination of face-lifting and laser resurfacing. Fear of skin slough has prevented the study of this issue. objective. We report our experience utilizing a combination of simultaneous cervicofacial rhytidectomy and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing, and summarize the results of a survey completed by each patient. methods. Forty patients underwent the combination treatment. Patients were followed and asked to respond to a questionnaire 12 months postprocedure regarding their surgical experience. results. Our survey revealed an overall degree of satisfaction. Reported complications included transient swelling, redness, pigmentary alteration, and numbness. One patient experienced minimal slough in a nonresurfaced site. conclusions. The control of depth of thermal damage with the CO2 UltraPulse laser allows for precision in its combined application along with face-lifting. In the area of the flap, one pass at low power settings is safe in our experience and results in an improved cosmetic result.
Interacting Neural Modules

Neural computation offers many potential advantages, yet little research has attempted to explore how solutions to complex problems might be achieved using neural networks. This paper explores the use of linked and interacting neural modules, each capable of learning simple finite state machines, yet capable of being combined to perform complex actions. The modules are suitable for a hardware-only implementation.
Structural analysis of nucleolar precursors of ribosomal ribonucleic acid. Comparative hybridizations of nucleolar and ribosomal ribonucleic acid with nucleolar deoxyribonucleic acid.

Abstract To define more clearly the relationships of nucleolar 45 S, 35 S, and 28 S RNA to ribosomal 18 S and 28 S RNA, hybridization studies were carried out with these RNAs and DNA obtained from nucleoli of Novikoff hepatoma ascites cells. As determined by saturation studies, the percentage of nucleolar DNA complementary to 18 S and 28 S rRNA was 0.08 and 0.195%, respectively; the percentage of DNA complementary to 28 S, 35 S, and 45 S nucleolar RNA was 0.25, 0.35, and 0.52%, respectively. The percentage of nucleolar DNA complementary to an equimolar mixture of 18 S and 28 S rRNA was 0.28%. Competition experiments showed that 28 S rRNA competes to the extent of 84, 63, and 43%, respectively, with nucleolar 28 S, 35 S, and 45 S RNA. On the other hand, 18 S rRNA did not compete effectively with 28 S and 35 S nucleolar RNA but competed to the extent of 17% with nucleolar 45 S RNA. According to the saturation and competition experiments, nucleolar 28 S, 35 S, and 45 S RNA contain nonribosomal RNA segments corresponding in length to about 18, 41, and 43%, respectively, of the total molecules. Based upon these studies and those of the accompanying paper, a revised model is presented for the conversion reactions involved in formation of ribosomal RNA from nucleolar precursors.
Quality vs. quantity: comparing evaluation methods in a usability-focused software architecture modification task

A controlled experiment was performed to assess the usefulness of portions of a usability-supporting architectural pattern (USAP) in modifying the design of software architectures to support a specific usability concern. Results showed that participants using a complete USAP produced modified designs of significantly higher quality than participants using only a usability scenario. Comparison of solution quality ratings with a quantitative measure of responsibilities considered in the solution showed positive correlation between the measures. Implications for software development are that usability concerns can be included at architecture design time, and that USAPs can significantly help software architects to produce better designs to address usability concerns. Implications for empirical software engineering are that validated quantitative measures of software architecture quality may potentially be substituted for costly and often elusive expert assessment.
A Framework to Derive Multidimensional Superadditive Lifting Functions and Its Applications

In this paper, we present a systematic method to derive strong superadditive approximations of multidimensional lifting functions using single-dimensional superadditive functions. This constructive approach is based on the observation that, in many cases, the lifting function of a multidimensional problem can be expressed or approximated through the single-dimensional lifting function of some of its components. We then apply our approach to two variants of classical models and show that it yields an efficient procedure to derive strong valid inequalities.
Simulating emergence and downward causation in small groups

Emergence has been a central issue not only in computational models of social systems, but also throughout 20th century sociological theory. In this paper, I first define the key concepts of emergence, downward causation, and bi-directional causation, and I identify these processes in an example of improvised dialog. I then draw on emergentist trends in sociological theory to propose a computational model of collaborative emergence among small groups of improvising agents.