cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Erasure-free sequential decoding of trellis codes

An erasure-free sequential decoding algorithm for trellis codes, called the buffer looking algorithm (BLA), is introduced. Several versions of the algorithm can be obtained by choosing certain parameters and selecting a resynchronization scheme. These can be categorized as block decoding or continuous decoding, depending on the resynchronization scheme. Block decoding is guaranteed to resynchronize at the beginning of each block, but suffers some rate loss when the block length is relatively short. The performance of a typical block decoding scheme is analyzed, and we show that significant coding gains over Viterbi decoding can be achieved with much less computational effort. A resynchronization scheme is proposed for continuous sequential decoding. It is shown by analysis and simulation that continuous sequential decoding using this scheme has a high probability of resynchronizing successfully. This new resynchronization scheme solves the rate loss problem resulting from block decoding. The channel cutoff rate, demodulator quantization, and the tail's influence on performance are also discussed. Although this paper considers only the decoding of trellis codes, the algorithm can also be applied to the decoding of convolutional codes. >
Source of the 70-Day Mesoscale Eddy Variability in the Coral Sea and the North Fiji Basin

Abstract Large-amplitude sea surface height (SSH) variations with a wave period of 70 days and a wavelength of about 700 km are detected in the Coral Sea centered along ∼16°S and in the North Fiji Basin along ∼18°S. These mesoscale eddy signals have a well-defined annual cycle with a maximum in December/January and a minimum in May/June. As the southeasterly trades intercept the island mountains of Vanuatu and Fiji, they generate localized wind stress curl dipoles, which in turn induce the eastward-flowing Coral Sea Countercurrent (CSCC) and Fiji Basin Countercurrent (FBCC) in the Coral Sea and the North Fiji Basin, respectively. The high eddy variability band along 16°S is hypothesized in this study as resulting from barotropic instability due to the lateral shear between the eastward-flowing CSCC and its neighboring westward-flowing North Caledonian and North Vanuatu jets (NCJ and NVJ). Based on stability analyses on the background NCJ–CSCC–NVJ system, it is found that the most unstable mode of the syst...
Recovery in a family context: experiences of mothers with serious mental illnesses.

Objective Adults with mental illness are as likely as those without mental illness to be parents. Yet parenting and family life have received considerably less attention than employment, housing, and community integration in psychiatric rehabilitation and mental health services research. This ethnographic pilot study aimed to understand the lived experiences of urban low-income African American mothers diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. Method Ethnographic observations and informal interviews were conducted over 12 months with three mothers diagnosed with serious mental illnesses and their children. Data were analyzed using a case study approach to distill prominent themes, perspectives, and experiences within and across participating families. Results Five themes emerged to characterize the lived experiences of African American mothers with serious mental illnesses: (a) mental illness and mental health services are not a prominent focus in everyday life; (b) families live in a context of ubiquitous violence, loss, and everyday stress; (c) family life is the main focus for mothers as they strive for a better life; (d) mothers have limited social support; and (e) religion is a source of meaning and a resource for the everyday work of recovery. Conclusions and implications for practice Findings from this exploratory pilot study suggest that rehabilitative efforts tailored for this population should not focus on, or reside in, professional mental health services. Meaningful rehabilitative strategies for families might include supported employment, social support, youth mentoring, faith-based supports, and community-based antiviolence efforts. Peer-based approaches may be a promising way to provide supports within this population.
Some polarization characteristics of magnesium oxide and other diffuse reflectors.

Measurements were made with a laser at a wavelength of 6328 A to determine the effects of polarization on the reflection properties of “diffuse” reflectors. Bidirectional reflectance, with the polarization plane of the laser source and the plane of a polarization analyzer at the receiver as parameters, was measured in the incidence plane for smoke-deposited magnesium oxide, pressed magnesium oxide powder, a diffusely reflecting white paint, and Fiberfrax ceramic insulating felt. It is shown that the bidirectional reflectance, ρ′, of these samples and the extent to which it departs from Lambert's cosine law are definitely functions of source and receiver polarization. The percentage polarization of reflected radiation is also given for both polarized and unpolarized sources.
Effects of viscosity on sperm motility studied with optical tweezers

The purpose of this study is to analyze human sperm motility and energetics in media with different viscosities. Multiple experiments were performed to collect motility parameters using customized computer tracking software that measures the curvilinear velocity (VCL) and the minimum laser power (Pesc) necessary to hold an individual sperm in an optical trap. The Pesc was measured by using a 1064 nm Nd:YVO(4) continuous wave laser that optically traps motile sperm at a power of 450 mW in the focused trap spot. The VCL was measured frame by frame before trapping. In order to study sperm energetics under different viscous conditions sperm were labeled with the fluorescent dye DiOC(6)(3) to measure membrane potentials of mitochondria in the sperm midpiece. Fluorescence intensity was measured before and during trapping. The results demonstrate a decrease in VCL but an increase in Pesc with increasing viscosity. Fluorescent intensity is the same regardless of the viscosity level indicating no change in sperm energetics. The results suggest that, under the conditions tested, viscosity physically affects the mechanical properties of sperm motility rather than the chemical pathways associated with energetics.
Control of pyrene fluorescence intensity by in situ addition of CO2 to an amidine/amine mixture or CO2 removal from an amidinium carbamate ionic liquid.

Addition of CO2 to an equimolar amidine/amine mixture leads to formation of a switchable ionic liquid, an amidinium carbamate, and appearance of strong fluorescence by a solute, pyrene. Passing a ‘displacement gas’, N2, through the ionic liquid or heating it regenerates the amidine/amine mixture and quenches the fluorescence almost totally. No switching or appreciable fluorescence is found when an amidinium dithiocarbamate is the medium.
Preferences for multi-attributed alternatives

Abstract : This paper presents several techniques for assessing the utility of complex alternatives. It studies the problem where each alternative can be described by a series of attributes which are interdependent in various ways. A hierarchical structuring procedure for obtaining a relevant list of attributes is described and examples are given from Northeast Corridor transportation problems and from medical treatment problems.
CERVICAL LIPOBLASTOMA: CASE REPORT, REVIEW OF LITERATURE, AND GENETIC ANALYSIS

Background. Lipoblastoma is a rare, benign tumor of infants and children, usually occurring in the extremities and trunk, with only a few cases reported in the neck. Methods. We describe the case of an infant with a rapidly enlarging, painless neck mass. MRI revealed a 4-cm-diameter mass deep to the paraspinal muscles, in close proximity to the C2 vertebral foramen. Review of literature, diagnostic methods, and genetics of lipomatous tumors are discussed. Results. Complete surgical excision via a posterior cervical approach demonstrated irregular lobules of immature fat cells separated by a loose, myxoid connective tissue. Histology and genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lipoblastoma. Conclusion. Cervical lipoblastoma is rare, and typically presents as an asymptomatic, painless mass, rarely causing air- way obstruction or nerve compression. MRI can be helpful in identifying the lipomatous nature of the mass, but the findings can be inconsistent due to variable maturity of fat cells and the mesenchymal content of the tumor. Chromosomal analysis is useful in differentiating lipoblastoma from liposarcoma. Recom- mended treatment is complete surgical excision. V C 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 29: 1055-1060, 2007
Attracting K12 Students with Standardized Outreach Activities

Most academic departments of U.S. institutions implement some type of recruitment strategies to attract new students into their programs. This article focuses in the unique issues that affect enrollment in Computer Science departments, and it proposes a standard Outreach Activity Template: OAT. This template is used to design outreach activities to persuade K12 students into Computer Science majors. Some preliminary results of the implementation of this model indicates that a large number of student participants become interested in computer science.
Aberrant accumulation of fibulin-3 in the endoplasmic reticulum leads to activation of the unfolded protein response and VEGF expression.

PURPOSE. The inherited early-onset macular degenerative disease known as malattia leventinese (ML) and Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (DHRD) have been linked to a missense mutation leading to production of a mutant fibulin-3 protein (R345W). R345W is poorly secreted and accumulates in the RPE of ML/DHRD retinas. Accumulation of misfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling and expression of ER stress‐responsive genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Therefore, we hypothesized that the expression of R345W activates the UPR, leading to VEGF expression. METHODS. Adenoviral vectors were used to overexpress fibulin-3 wild-type (Wt) and R345W mutant proteins in ARPE-19 cells. Secretion and intracellular accumulation of Wt and R345W were compared by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Activation of the UPR was evaluated by measuring the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78 [BiP]) and editing of the X-box binding protein (XBP-1) mRNA. VEGF expression and transcriptional activation of the VEGF promoter were determined by Northern blot analysis, Western blot analysis, and use of a novel VEGF promoter-reporter construct containing 8.2 kb of the human VEGF gene. RESULTS. R345W was poorly secreted by ARPE-19 cells and accumulated in the ER, leading to UPR activation and increased VEGF expression. Compared with Wt mutant proteins, the expression of R345W was more effective at causing UPR activation, increasing VEGF expression, and stimulating transcription from the VEGF promoter. CONCLUSIONS. These findings demonstrated that the expression of mutated fibulin-3 caused UPR activation and increased VEGF expression. Expression of mutant fibulin proteins may contribute to macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization by causing ER stress leading to RPE dysfunction and increased
Climate-induced range overlap among closely related species

Bioclimatic modelling suggests that as species distributions shift in response to climate change, few currently isolated but closely related species are likely to come into contact, implying that hybridization and competition risks will remain small.
Oral Advocacy and Vocal Fry: The Unseemly, Sexist Side of Nonverbal Persuasion

In 2015, Naomi Wolf warned that "the most empowered generation of women ever — today’s twentysomethings in North America and Britain — is being hobbled in some important ways by something as basic as a new fashion in how they use their voices." She was referring to the phenomenon referred to as "vocal fry" — a speech quality in which the speaker lowers her natural pitch and produces a "creaking" sound as she talks. Naomi Wolf is not alone in her warnings; vocal fry has received quite a bit of negative attention recently. Specifically, these critics warn that those who speak in vocal fry are doing themselves great harm by undermining the speakers' overall perceived effectiveness. In fact, recent studies even lend some support to these arguments, showing that listeners tend to rate those who speak in vocal fry more negatively.The problem, however, is that much of this criticism is directed at young women, and for that reason, some defenders of vocal fry have countered that these criticisms are merely attempts to regulate how women talk. In other words, a preference for speech that does not contain vocal fry is actually motivated by pernicious stereotypes about how women "should" talk.Thus, on the one hand, there are those studies supporting the argument that women who engage in vocal fry are less likely to be perceived positively, yet on the other hand, there exists the very real likelihood that these perceptions are based on gender stereotypes. Accordingly, the question emerges: what should a young woman do? Should she eliminate all instances of vocal fry from her speech so as to maximize her perceived effectiveness as a public speaker if, in so doing, she is reinforcing the very gender stereotypes upon which such preferences are based? Or should she openly confront such stereotypes and employ vocal fry as much as she likes, knowing that, by taking that approach, she is taking the risk that she might be hurting not only herself but also those upon whose behalf she speaks?This essay, by first discussing this background on vocal fry, delves into that very dilemma. It does so specifically in the context of female attorneys given that 1) public speaking is a key component upon which their effectiveness is gauged, and 2) to the extent their public speaking is judged to be less than ideal, they are not only harming themselves, but also potentially a client. Finally, in wrestling with this question, this essay hopes to shed light on a bigger concern — specifically, how useful are studies on effective nonverbal behavior when the results of those studies are largely driven by underlying societal prejudice?
The interaction of monoamine oxidases with tertiary amines.

1770177 1 Wyss, P.-C., Kyburz, E. & Imhof, R. (1990) J. Neural Transm. Suppl. 29,279-292 Cesura, A. M., Galva, M. D., Imhof, R., Kyburz, E., Picotti. G. B. & Da Prada, M. (1989) Eur. J. Pharmacol. 162,457-465 Cesura, A. M., Bos, M., Galva, M. D., Imhof, R. & Da Prada, M. (1990) Mol. Pharmacol. 37,358-366 Kinemuchi, H., Arai, Y., Oreland, L., Tipton, K. F. & Fowler, C. J. (1982) Biochem. Pharmacol. 31, 959-964 Dostert, P. & Strolin Benedetti, M. (1986) Actual. Chim. Thkr. 13,269-287 Langlois, M., Schoofs, A., Rumigny, J. F., Dostert, P., Strolin Benedetti, M. & Renaut, P. (1988) European Patent Application EP 259228
Severe Progressive Brain Atrophy in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Progressive brain atrophy is a known marker of patient disability and cognitive impairment in MS patient, but limited information is available about the clinical and cognitive consequences in the pediatric population. Case Report We present a case of aggressive pediatric-onset MS with severe rapidly progressive brain atrophy, neurological disability, and cognitive deterioration. Serial brain magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrate ongoing cerebral atrophy correlating with severe deficits on serial neuropsychological testing. Conclusion A subset of pediatric MS patient may be vulnerable to severe cognitive deterioration associated with marked brain atrophy.
Reducing the learning curve in an introductory programming course using Visual Logic

Visual Logic © (www.visuallogic.org) is an interactive, graphical software tool that enables a novice programmer to interactively develop executable flowcharts. It is used to introduce abstract programming concepts visually, making the transition into a complex programming language easier. Participants will examine the simplicity, power and versatility of using Visual Logic to teach programming concepts, with different approaches, in introductory courses: (i) as an entire course in algorithmic thinking, (ii) as the first half of an introductory programming course transitioning to Python, (iii) simultaneously using Visual Logic to illustrate concepts and brainstorm solutions as students learn Java syntax. Participants with non-Windows OS will require a Windows simulator on their laptops.
An automatic flush control system

PLC is combined with WinCC configuration technology to build an automatic flush control system.The host computer with WinCC configuration software is applied to monitor the water flushing process in real time,while the guest computer PLC is used to control the operation of the system.The results show that the automatic flush control system works in good conditions.
Management of neurosurgical problems in pregnancy.

The effects of pregnancy on neurosurgical disease are complex and require a detailed knowledge of physiology, anatomy, and pharmacology. The following article details the pathophysislog and treatment of the more common disorders of the nervous system seen during pregnancy.
Neoplastic proliferation of the epithelium of the mammary lobules: adenosis, lobular neoplasia, and small cell carcinoma.

Although the natural histories of these different forms of proliferation of the mammary lobular epithelium differ greatly, they have one feature in common, namely, that they appear to be dependent upon hormonal factors.
Pasch Geometry (PSH)

The first part of this chapter uses the Plane Separation Axiom to show that a line in a plane has two disjoint sides, and to prove the basic properties of segments, rays, and lines that are needed for a coherent geometry. The remainder of the chapter is a study of the basic interactions between lines, angles, triangles, and quadrilaterals, comprising Pasch geometry.
SU-F-J-72: A Clinical Usable Integrated Contouring Quality Evaluation Software for Radiotherapy

Purpose: To introduce the Auto Contour Evaluation (ACE) software, which is the clinical usable, user friendly, efficient and all-in-one toolbox for automatically identify common contouring errors in radiotherapy treatment planning using supervised machine learning techniques. Methods: ACE is developed with C# using Microsoft .Net framework and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) for elegant GUI design and smooth GUI transition animations through the integration of graphics engines and high dots per inch (DPI) settings on modern high resolution monitors. The industrial standard software design pattern, Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) pattern, is chosen to be the major architecture of ACE for neat coding structure, deep modularization, easy maintainability and seamless communication with other clinical software. ACE consists of 1) a patient data importing module integrated with clinical patient database server, 2) a 2D DICOM image and RT structure simultaneously displaying module, 3) a 3D RT structure visualization module using Visualization Toolkit or VTK library and 4) a contour evaluation module using supervised pattern recognition algorithms to detect contouring errors and display detection results. ACE relies on supervised learning algorithms to handle all image processing and data processing jobs. Implementations of related algorithms are powered by Accord.Net scientific computing library for better efficiency and effectiveness. Results: ACE can take patient's CT images and RT structures from commercial treatment planning software via direct user input or from patients’ database. All functionalities including 2D and 3D image visualization and RT contours error detection have been demonstrated with real clinical patient cases. Conclusion: ACE implements supervised learning algorithms and combines image processing and graphical visualization modules for RT contours verification. ACE has great potential for automated radiotherapy contouring quality verification. Structured with MVVM pattern, it is highly maintainable and extensible, and support smooth connections with other clinical software tools.
Timing matters: Endogenous cortisol mediates benefits from early-day psychotherapy

Abstract Objective No simple way to augment fear extinction has been established. Cortisol has shown to enhance memory extinction and preliminary evidence suggest that extinction learning maybe more successful in the morning when cortisol is high. The aim was to determine whether exposure sessions conducted earlier in the day are associated with superior therapeutic gains in extinction-based psychotherapy. We also examined the role of cortisol levels as a mediator between time of day and therapeutic gains. Method Participants were 24 individuals meeting DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder with agoraphobia. Participants received 3 weekly in-vivo exposure sessions, yielding 72 total sessions for analysis of time of day effects. Session start times were evenly distributed across the day. The outcome measures were reductions in panic symptom severity (avoidance behaviors, threat misappraisal, perceived control, and panic disorder symptom severity). Results Sessions starting earlier in the day were associated with superior therapeutic gains by the next therapy session. Earlier sessions were also associated with higher pre-exposure cortisol levels, which in turn were related to greater clinical improvement by the next session. Cortisol thus was found to mediate the effect of time of day on subsequent outcome, providing a link between earlier exposure sessions and greater clinical improvement. Conclusion The data suggest that early-day extinction-based therapy sessions yield better outcomes than later-day sessions, partly due to the enhancing effect of higher cortisol levels.
Why “cultural matters” matter: Culture talk as the mobilization of cultural capital in interaction

Abstract In this paper, I provide evidence for the substantive relevance of a phenomenon that has been argued to be crucial in connecting cultural inequalities to stratification outcomes: “culture talk,” or the use of popular culture and the arts as conversation subjects with friends and acquaintances. In spite of its theoretical importance, this outcome has not received much empirical attention. To address this gap, I document the socio-demographic correlates of culture talk using survey data from a probability sample of Americans. I report three main findings. First, culture talk frequency across five culture consumption domains is stratified by socioeconomic status, primarily be education and secondarily by income, net of self-reported culture-consumption frequency. Second, the socioeconomic status effect on culture talk is strongest for those who are most culturally active. Finally, engagement in traditionally high status cultural pursuits (e.g. the fine arts) is a better predictor of culture talk across all domains than consumption in less class stratified domains (e.g. movies). I close by elaborating the theoretical and substantive implication of these results.
RESEARCH FOCUS: The age of tubes: A window into biological transition at the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary

Flashback to 1997, Spring semester: as a freshman biology major at West Virginia University (USA), I was enrolled in Dr. Kammer’s Fossils and Evolution course. Like nearly every kid, I had at least had a passing fascination with dinosaurs in the 2nd grade, briefly rekindled in the early 90’s
Patterns of Inheritance in Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Greater than 90% of cases of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) are due to autosomal dominant mutations in the COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes. The remainder of cases are autosomal recessive forms due to biallelic mutations in at least 11 genes identified to date. This chapter will review autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive patterns of inheritance and the associated recurrence risks. This chapter will also discuss special considerations regarding de novo mutations, mosaicism and recurrence risk estimations for perinatal lethal OI.
Motivations for Growth Revolts: Discretion and Pretext as Sources of Development Conflict

This article suggests that “ballot box growth revolts”—instances where citizens use direct democracy to curb development—may be caused by local governments’ use of discretionary development approva...
As soon as I saw him

As soon as I saw him, I thought, “He looks just like Dad.” Not my father as he was then, but as he might look in 15 years. Same bald head, same sparkling eyes, and a mustache that danced when he sm...
Modeling of dislocation channel width evolution in irradiated metals

Abstract Defect-free dislocation channel formation has been reported to promote plastic instability during tensile testing via localized plastic flow, leading to a distinct loss of ductility and strain hardening in many low-temperature irradiated materials. In order to study the underlying mechanisms governing dislocation channel width and formation, the channel formation process is modeled via a simple stochastic dislocation-jog process dependent upon grain size, defect cluster density, and defect size. Dislocations traverse a field of defect clusters and jog stochastically upon defect interaction, forming channels of low defect-density. Based upon prior molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in-situ experimental transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations, each dislocation encounter with a dislocation loop or stacking fault tetrahedron (SFT) is assumed to cause complete absorption of the defect cluster, prompting the dislocation to jog up or down by a distance equal to half the defect cluster diameter. Channels are predicted to form rapidly and are comparable to reported TEM measurements for many materials. Predicted channel widths are found to be most strongly dependent on mean defect size and correlated well with a power law dependence on defect diameter and density, and distance from the dislocation source. Due to the dependence of modeled channel width on defect diameter and density, maximum channel width is predicted to slowly increase as accumulated dose increases. The relatively weak predicted dependence of channel formation width with distance, in accordance with a diffusion analogy, implies that after only a few microns from the source, most channels observed via TEM analyses may not appear to vary with distance because of limitations in the field-of-view to a few microns. Further, examinations of the effect of the so-called “source-broadening” mechanism of channel formation showed that its effect is simply to add a minimum thickness to the channel without affecting channel dependence on the given parameters.
Influence of soil chemical and physical characteristics on willow yield in Connecticut

Abstract Willows (Salix) are the focus of investigation as renewable feedstock for bioenergy in the Northeastern region of the US. The potential increase of acreage for willow biofuel production requires new information about how yield is influenced by variances in soil factors. The objectives of this experiment were to compare yields across several different soil series and to identify factors that may influence plant productivity. Four cultivars of shrub willow were planted in 2011 at five sites in Connecticut. Biomass yields were measured at the end of the fourth growing season. The best conditions for willow growth were recorded on Watchaug soil series, where the highest yield values for ‘SX67’ and ‘SX61’ (17.3 and 14.4 Mg ha−1 yr−1, respectively) are setting benchmarks for the potential of willow yield in Connecticut. These two willows were the most productive cultivars across all sites. ‘Allegany’ and ‘SV1’ performed better on sites with specific soil characteristics, clearly demonstrating greater cultivar × site interactions. Important soil characteristics that correlated with willow growth were soil organic matter, pH, as well as phosphorus, iron, magnesium and aluminum availability. All cultivars responded similarly to aluminum toxicity: the yields increased when exchangeable soil aluminum levels were below 200 mg kg−1. The yields also increased for most cultivars when the phosphorus levels were high. The yields consistently reached a maximum when the phosphorus to aluminum ratio was greater than 0.05. This study showed that soil factors correlated with willow yields and revealed that soil amendments could be exploited for yield gains.
Chapter 14 Action Modes and Laws of Control for the Visual Guidance Of Action

Summary Visual information provides a crucial source of constraint on the action system, so that functional movements are coordinated with the local environment. In visually guiding an action, the actor chooses a perceptually specifwd affordance to be realized, a corresponding mode of action, and appropriate laws of control by which to visually regulate the action. The affordance problem concerns how an organism perceives what actions a given situation affords, and selects an appropriate affordance to realize. An affordance, such as a passable opening, is determined by the fit between the material properties of the environment and those of the organism, yielding optimal points at which action is most efiient, and critical points at which a phase transition to a new mode of action occurs. It is proposed that for each affordance there exists a corresponding action mode that will realize it, whose free parameters are regulated by a unique set of laws of control. The control problem concerns how the dynamic force-related parameters of the action system are modulated by the kinematic variables of optical information to yield a precisely adapted movement. It is proposed that laws of control can be derived from ecological optics and physics that relate changes in optical flow to the changes in force required to achieve a desired action. To demonstrate the generality of this argument, it is worked out in detail for the case of visual flight control in insects, and then applied to human action in studies of bipedal stair climbing, walking through narrow apertures, and the visual control of step length during running.
Nutritional metabolomics in critical illness.

Purpose of review Disruption of metabolic homeostasis is universal in the critically ill. Macronutrients and micronutrients are major environmental regulators of metabolite production through their gene regulation effects. The study of large numbers of circulating metabolites is beginning to emerge through the comprehensive profiling of the critically ill. In the critically ill, metabolomic studies consistently show that changes in fatty acids, lipids and tryptophan metabolite pathways are common and are associated with disease state and outcomes. Recent findings Metabolomics is now being applied in research studies to determine the critical illness response to nutrient deficiency and delivery. Nutritional metabolomics approaches in nutrient deficiency, malnutrition and nutrient delivery have included single time point studies and dynamic studies of critically ill patients over time. Integration of metabolomics and clinical outcome data may create a more complete understanding of the control of metabolism in critical illness. Summary The integration of metabolomic profiling with transcription and genomic data may allow for a unique window into the mechanism of how nutrient deficiency and delivery alters cellular homeostasis during critical illness and modulates the regain of cellular homeostasis during recovery. The progress and the challenges of the study of nutritional metabolomics are reviewed here.
GROWTH DIFFERENTIATION FACTOR-15 IN BLACK PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME IS ASSOCIATED WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR REMODELING

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) is elevated and prognostic in CAD. Sparse data is available on potential mechanism or its activity in minority populations. Methods: Cohort: 80 patients with AF and ACS. Standard labs, EKG, and echo were performed along with coronary angiography and
Desiccation tolerant lichens facilitate in vivo H/D isotope effect measurements in oxygenic photosynthesis.

Abstract We have used the desiccation-tolerant lichen Flavoparmelia caperata, containing the green algal photobiont Trebouxia gelatinosa, to examine H/D isotope effects in Photosystem II in vivo. Artifact-free H/D isotope effects on both PSII primary charge separation and water oxidation yields were determined as a function of flash rate from chlorophyll-a variable fluorescence yields. Intact lichens could be reversibly dehydrated/re-hydrated with H2O/D2O repeatedly without loss of O2 evolution, unlike all isolated PSII preparations. Above a threshold flash rate, PSII charge separation decreases sharply in both D2O and H2O, reflecting loss of excitation migration and capture by PSII. Changes in H/D coordinates further slow charge separation in D2O (−23% at 120 Hz), attributed to reoxidation of the primary acceptor QA−. At intermediate flash rates (5–50 Hz) D2O decreases water oxidation efficiency (O2 evolution) by −2–5%. No significant isotopic difference is observed at slow flash rates (
Abelian qo-groups and atomic pseudo-valuation domains

The notion of imposing a partial ordering on algebraic structures is one of the most fundamental concepts in abstract algebra. Even further, the notion of a quasi-ordering is also used at the most basic algebraic levels. These orderings, however, are not very useful or well behaved when studying universal algebra. The first topic of this thesis is to examine the concept of a quasi-ordered abelian group and create a category, over which, the category of quasi-ordered abelian groups is monadic. This monadicity theorem allows one to examine the category of quasi-ordered abelian groups in a more algebraic setting. The second focus is on the partial ordering of divisibility on a class of integral domains, known as pseudo-valuation domains. It has been known for some time that pseudo-valuation domains have a fairly predictable divisibility structure. Here, it is shown that this divisibility structure can be used to find sufficient criteria to ensure a domain is a pseudo-valuation domain. This criteria is then used, along with a classification of a related class of domains, to classify all atomic pseudo-valuation domains. This classification is done solely in terms of the divisibility structure of the domains. Within the discussion of pseudo-valuation domains there is a classification of the lattice of ideals of a certain class of pseudo-valuation domains, so called restricted power series. Additionally, there is a classification of the groups of divisibility of generalized restricted power series which provides further evidence for the conjecture that every pseudo-valuation domain can be classified in terms of its group of divisibility alone. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the variety generated by the collection of all fields considered as algebras with two binary operations, division and subtraction. We develop an axiomatic approach to obtain an idea on what would be included in this variety as well as a discussion of some of the properties of subvarieties generated by individual finite fields.
Interaction of embryonic stem cells with the immune system

Embryonic stem (ES) cells interact with the immune system in unique ways. Immune interactions of ES cells and tumor formation appear to be reciprocal functions—the less immunity ES cells provoke, the greater the risk of tumor formation. Knowledge of the interaction of ES cells and their derivatives with the immune system and their relationship to tumor formation is critical to their potential therapeutic applications to regenerative medicine.
Multivariable Polynomial Approximations

In Chapter 3 we introduced the approximation of univariate functions by polynomials and trigonometric functions (see Sections 3.4–3.7). In this chapter we extend those ideas to multivariable functions and multivariable polynomials. In the univariate case there are only three types of approximation domains, namely [a, b], [a,∞), and (–∞,∞), with a and b finite. In contrast, there are many types of approximation domains in the multivariable case. This chapter is only an introduction to this area, and to make it more accessible, we emphasize planar problems. In particular, we consider the unit disk
Crosshole Tomography Animation in X Windows with Convex-2/IBM RS 6000 Client-Server Display Connection

Recent emphasis in scientific visualization has centered on CRT displays which occur in real time as the simulation proceeds. In such visualizations, scientists can “see” intermediate answers as they are computed. This helps researchers conceptualize the phenomenon more completely. They can also adjust parameters, boundary conditions or other pieces of input data more quickly and can obtain immediate feedback on the response of the simulation to these changes.
On topology of sensor networks deployed for tracking

In this paper, we study topologies of sensor networks deployed for tracking multiple targets with Blind Source Separation (BSS), a statistical signal processing technique widely used to recover individual signals from mixtures of signals. BSS-based tracking algorithms are proven to be effective in tracking multiple indistinguishable targets. The topology of a wireless sensor network deployed for tracking with BSSbased algorithms is critical to tracking performance: (a) The topology affects separation performance. (b) The topology determines accuracy and precision of estimation on the paths taken by targets. We propose cluster topologies for BSS-based tracking algorithms. Guidelines on parameter selection for proposed topologies are given in this paper. We evaluate proposed cluster topologies with extensive experiments. Our empirical experiments also show that BSS-based tracking algorithm can achieve comparable tracking performance in comparison with algorithms assuming single target or distinguishable targets.
Emerging Therapies for Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease is likely to be the public health epidemic of the 21st century. Despite the magnitude of the clinical problem, there are currently no truly effective therapies for this condition. Novel therapies could influence the way we manage CKD patients in the future. Combining biology, technology and processes of care in order to develop therapies that are not only clinically effective but which are also patient friendly and cost effective and which lend themselves to being used within existing or improved process of care paradigms may affect outcomes.
Statistical Models for Flood Frequency Estimation of the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers

This paper investigates the application of the theory of extreme values to predit the magnitudes of annual floods for the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers based on maximum annual levels of the rivers between 1925 and 1975. First, the data were tested to establish an initial probability distribution of the yearly extreme values. It was found by means of goodness of fit tests that both the normal distribution and the log-normal distribution adequately describe the extreme probability distributions for both rivers. Then by using techniques developed by Cramer, the expectations and variances of the mth extremes were calculated. From the estimates of these two parameters, probability predications of the level of floods for any return period may be obtained. The paper presents predicted values of floods for return periods of 100, 200. and 300 years.
Scattering by a Periodic Array of Collinear Cracks

This paper deals with the problem of scattering of an in-plane wave by a periodic array of collinear cracks in an elastic solid. The work is of interest for the detection of cracked zone in both quantitative evaluation of materials and seismology.
Ewing Sarcoma: Molecular Characterization and Potential Molecular Therapeutic Targets

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common sarcoma affecting children and young adults. Emerging evidence indicates that ES is likely the result of spontaneous genetic translocation and the fusion gene EWS-FLI-1 drives ES pathogenesis. ES can be reliably diagnosed on tissue by cytology, histology, and immunohistochemistry. However, molecular confirmation and characterization are important. Tumor stage is still the most important prognostic factor and the role of molecular biomarkers is currently under investigation. Multimodality therapy is the cornerstone of current treatment of ES. Ongoing clinical trials are focused on improving survival. Promising alternative therapies include dendritic cell immunotherapy and siRNA targets against specific oncogene such as EWS-FLI-1 are currently underway. Therapy that is tailored to specific and biologically relevant molecular targets holds the future of personalized medicine.
Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix: A Pathologic Study of Eight Cases With Emphasis on the Association With Human Papillomavirus.

Objectives Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the uterine cervix is a rare tumor. The goal of this study was to evaluate a series of cases of cervical LELC and to investigate possible association with human papillomavirus (HPV) and/or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Methods Immunohistochemistry for p63, p16, human leukocyte antigen-D related (HLA-DR), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2); in situ hybridization (ISH) for EBV and HPV; and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping were performed. Mismatch repair (MMR) studies and PD-L1 status were obtained. Results We found eight cases of LELC. Tumors demonstrated sheets of cells containing vesicular nuclei, amphiphilic cytoplasm, and dense peri- and intratumoral lymphocytic infiltrates. All tumors stained for p63, p16, and HLA-DR; two also stained for BCL-2. When combining ISH and PCR results, seven tumors were HPV positive; they were all Epstein-Barr encoding region negative. All cases were MMR intact, and most overexpressed PD-L1. Conclusions This study shows that cervical LELCs are associated with HPV and not EBV.
IMPACT Registry and National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative: Contributions to Quality in Congenital Heart Disease

The IMproving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatments (IMPACT) Registry and the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPC-QIC) are two efforts initiated to improve outcomes in the congenital heart disease field. The IMPACT Registry is focused on evaluating the use, risks, adverse events (AEs), and outcomes associated with diagnostic and common interventional catheterization procedures in all children and adults with congenital heart disease. Utilizing a modular approach, the common procedures include diagnostic cardiac catheterization, atrial septal defect device closure, patent ductus arteriosus device closure, pulmonary valvuloplasty, aortic valvuloplasty, balloon and stent angioplasty of coarctation of the aorta, pulmonary artery balloon stent angioplasty, transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement, and electrophysiology procedures including radiofrequency ablation. To date, important observations on the common procedures have been made and a risk stratification methodology has been created to allow comparisons between centers in AEs and quality improvement activity. The registry is open to international participation. The NPC-QIC was developed to reduce mortality and improve the quality of life of infants with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) during the interstage period between discharge from the Norwood operation and admission for the bidirectional Glenn procedure. Mortality in the interstage has been reduced by 44%. The IMPACT Registry and the NPC-QIC have demonstrated value to the congenital heart disease community. The IMPACT Registry, however, has not yet demonstrated an impact on patient outcomes. The NPC-QIC, which combines both a registry with a learning collaborative with specific aims, key drivers, and change strategies, has made more significant gains with reductions in variation, growth failures, and mortality.
Biological Removal of Hydrophobic Solvent Vapors from Airstreams

Removal of benzene and toluene vapors from airstreams was studied in packed-bed biological reactors known as biofilters. The reactors, plexiglass columns 10 cm in diameter and 75 cm in height, were packed with a mixture of peat and perlite particles (volume ratio 2:3). A microbial consortium capable of completely mineralizing benzene and toluene was immobilized on the surface of the porous packing material, and formed a biolayer. Prehumidified air carrying either benzene or toluene was passed through the reactor. The solvent vapors and oxygen were transported to the biolayer where the contaminants underwent biodegradation. The experimentally observed maximum removal rates were 4.5 g(m−3-packing)−1 h−1 for benzene, and 24.8 g(m−3-packing)−1h−1 for toluene. Under all operating conditions tried, toluene vapor was removed easier than benzene. Steady-state data are accurately predicted with a detailed mathematical model which accounts for possible limitation of the process by oxygen. However, calculations show that, when compared to hydrophilic compounds, biofiltration of hydrophobic substances is not much affected by oxygen.
Clinical Outcomes of Lifitegrast 5% Ophthalmic Solution in the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose:To evaluate the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and adverse reactions after the use of lifitegrast 5% ophthalmic solution for the treatment of patients with dry eye disease (DED).Methods:Retrospective chart review was performed in 121 patients seen at the Duke Eye Center with DED who wer
Effects of Hot Switching and Contamination on Contact Reliability of Pt-Coated Microswitches

Hot switching and hydrocarbon-induced contact activation limit the lifetimes and exacerbate the surface erosion/damage in switches. However, the relative effects of voltage and contamination have not been studied. We report on these effects in Pt-coated microswitches. Long lifetime, as determined from electrical contact resistance (ECR) data versus switch cycle count, was observed under cold switching conditions. Cycling under hot switching conditions was performed at different contact voltage levels $V_{c}$ in: 1) a clean, hydrocarbon-free environment and 2) the presence of 40 ppm benzene (C6H6) in N2 gas. In the clean environment, carbon-induced contact activation did not occur, but the switches exhibited an ECR increase in as little as 100 times less than under cold switching conditions. The degree of erosion increased with $V_{c}$ in both environments. In the contaminated environment, substantial amount of tribopolymer (TP) was generated and contact activation increased as $V_{c}$ increased. For the conditions tested, this work shows that minimizing environmental contamination is the strongest factor in minimizing contact erosion in microswitches, while lowering $V_{c}$ also plays an important role.