cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards Resilient Micro-architectures: Datapath Reliability Enhancement Using STT-MRAM

Transistor scaling and reduction in operating voltages have resulted in cosmic-ray induced soft errors becoming a major threat for reliable processor operation. With the raw device soft error rate expected to remain constant in future generations, the explosion in on-chip transistor count is expected to have a corresponding impact on overall error rate. Consequently it becomes necessary to incorporate resiliency into the pipeline data path. However, existing methods like redundant execution or error correction used in memory are non-ideal for the pipeline due to their impact on overall performance. In this paper, we propose a novel technique that exploits the characteristics of Spin Transfer Torque - Magnetic Random Access Memory (STT-MRAM) for providing protection of all storage structures in the pipeline, namely the Reorder Buffer, Issue Queue and Load-Store Queue. We identify specific periods during an application's runtime when the MRAM can capture a ``snapshot" of the invariant micro-architectural state and restore it later thereby reducing soft error vulnerability. We quantify the reduction in Architectural Vulnerability Factor (AVF) to be 32% on average, with a performance overhead of less than 6%. Further, we present a case where the proposed technique can be combined with existing soft error protection techniques like Instruction Duplication to further enhance system reliability.
IRB Creep: Federal Regulations Protecting Human Research Subjects and Increasing Instructors' Responsibilities

ABSTRACT: Federal regulations require oversight of federally sponsored research involving human subjects. Universities have responded by forming Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). Although these regulations only apply to federally funded projects, universities have extended the oversight to include all projects involving human subjects. From our own experience, we observe that not all accounting faculty are aware of their responsibilities to their local boards. The sanctions for failing to follow required procedures depend on the infraction, and range from an order to cease work on the project to termination of university service for the faculty member and expulsion for the student. This report helps accounting faculty understand how the review process may affect their role as instructors and serves as encouragement to them to become familiar with the requirements of local review boards.
Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) modulate tenascin-C and fibrillin-1 in bullous keratopathy stromal cells in vitro

Abstract Purpose. Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) is a major indication for corneal transplantation. Previous studies showed that PBK corneas had increased levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-8. The PBK corneas also had accumulations of tenascin-C (TN-C), fibrillin-1 (Fib-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), inflammatory cells but not myofibroblasts. Our goal is to determine if the growth factors/cytokines that are elevated in PBK corneas alter the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) and/or degradative enzymes in vitro. Methods. Stromal cell cultures from normal and PBK human corneas were established and treated for 6 days with IGF-I, BMP-4, IL-1α, IL-8 or TGF-β1/β2. Immunostaining, Western blot and dot blot analyses for TN-C, Fib-1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, a marker for myofibroblasts) or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were performed. RNAs were collected and analyzed with Northern blots for TN-C, Fib-1 and β2-microglobulin. Culture media were analyzed using gelatin zymography with or without ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Some samples were activated with p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) and reduction/alkylation, and the degradative activities were measured by the MMP-gelatinase activity assay kit. Results. The IGF-I and TGF-β1/TGF-β2 increased (a) TN-C protein deposition, and (b) Fib-1 protein and RNA levels, but (c) had no significant affect on TIMP-1, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) or gelatinase activities. TGF-β1/TGF-β2 induced α-SMA protein (myofibroblasts) while IGF-I did not. BMP-4, IL-1α and IL-8 had little affect on the cells. Conclusions. Based upon our data, the fibrotic markers, TN-C and Fib-1, found in PBK corneas may be accounted for by IGF-I and TGF-β. These growth factors promote fibrosis and ECM deposition without promoting proteolysis. While the other growth factors/cytokines are elevated in PBK corneas, their role(s) in PBK pathogenesis are not clear. In addition, exogenous IGF-I most closely elicited a response that was most similar to the characteristics of the PBK/ABK corneas, i.e. accumulation of TN-C and Fib-1 proteins in the absence of myofibroblasts.
Relation between fiber parameters and polarization changes due to mechanical vibrations

Relation between fiber parameters and polarization changes due to mechanical vibration was investigated experimentally. We first revealed that smaller MFD non-circularity and fiber spin reduce polarization change and that low PMD fiber is desirable.
Gastrointestinal Histoplasmosis in Patients with AIDS: Case Report and Review

Histoplasmosis is the most common endemic mycosis in individuals with AIDS, occurring in 2%-5% of this population. Infection is more likely to be disseminated than in immunocompetent individuals and generally presents insidiously with nonspecific symptoms. The gastrointestinal tract is involved in 70%-90% of cases of disseminated histoplasmosis, yet gastrointestinal histoplasmosis per se is infrequently encountered in patients with AIDS. The diagnosis of gastrointestinal histoplasmosis is often not suspected, particularly in areas of nonendemicity, and a delay in diagnosis may lead to increased morbidity and risk of death. Since antifungal therapy improves outcome for >80% of AIDS patients with histoplasmosis, it is essential that caregivers be aware of the varied presentations of gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in order to diagnose and to treat this potentially life-threatening infection effectively.
Monitoring intra-annual water quality variations using airborne hyperspectral remote sensing data in Iowa lakes

The goal of this research was to explore the intra-annual water quality variations using airborne hyperspectral remote sensing data in two lakes of Iowa, USA. Hyperspectral images were collected using the Airborne Imaging Spectroradiometer for Applications (AISA) on five dates from June through October 2004. Water samples and location information using Global Positioning System (GPS) were also collected nearly simultaneously with the hyperspectral images for these lakes. By analyzing relationships between principal components of reflectance at specific wavelength intervals and water quality data from on site sampling, prediction algorithms were developed for three major water quality constituents, chlorophyll a (Chl), turbidity and Secchi disk depth (SDD). The prediction algorithms were applied to the hyperspectral images to create spatially continuous water quality maps for all five months. Maps of Chl, turbidity and SDD were created for both lakes with an accuracy of R2 = 0.8911, 0.9373 and 0.8551 respectively. Using this data, it was found that Silver Lake was hypereutrophic on June 3, July 8 and July 31 and was borderline eutrophic/hypereutrophic on September 2 and October 5. Casey Lake was eutrophic on June 3, July 8 and July 31 and was borderline eutrophic/hypereutrophic on September 2 and October 5.
Acetylcholinesterase: Effects of Ionic Strength and Dimerization on the Rate Constants

Brownian dynamics simulations are used to calculate diffusion-controlled rate constants for the binding of a positively-charged ligand to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at 300 K, pH 7, and several ionic strengths. Models of the enzyme were constructed on the basis of the crystal structure of Torpedo californica AChE, and the ligand was modeled as a 5-A sphere. Assignment of the charge distribution of the enzyme is based on calculation of the fractional charges of its ionizable groups as a function of pH and ionic strength, by the finite difference Poisson-Boltzmann method. We find that the mean charge of the enzyme increases significantly with increasing ionic strength, with most of the increase occurring between 0 and 200 mM ionic strength. The charge distribution results in a very high dipole moment for the monomeric subunit of the protein: 1500 D relative to the Center of Diffusion. The magnitude and orientation of the dipole moment are relatively insensitive to the ionic strength. At physiological ionic strength, electrostatic steering of the ligand increases the rate constant of the enzyme-ligand encounter by more than one order of magnitude. The increase in protein charge with rising ionic strength weakens the ionic strength dependence of the rate somewhat. The calculations reproduce the experimentally observed decrease of the rate constants with increasing ionic strength. We observe no intrinsic rate difference for dimeric AChE as compared to the monomer: the rate constant of the dimer is twice that of the monomer.
Assessment of second-order clearances between orthodontic archwires and bracket slots via the critical contact angle for binding.

Twenty-six archwires and 24 brackets were selected from among the hundreds of products available that nominally have from 18 to 22 mil bracket slots and 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, and/or 21 mil archwire sizes. After the archwires and brackets were dimensioned, a minimization-maximization algorithm was applied to the measurements in order to establish the likely boundaries of the critical contact angle for binding (thetac) as defined by the presence and absence of second-order clearance. From among the myriad archwire-bracket permutations possible, 64 combinations were identified--20 using the bracket slot as the controlling dimension and 44 using the bracket width. Using a previously derived mathematical expression that relates the dimensions of each archwire-bracket couple to its calculated thetac, the corresponding sets of indices were plotted. The results show that the maximum value of the calculated thetac can never exceed about 5 degrees , or else sliding mechanics will always be hampered. Other outcomes were validated experimentally using 5 of the 64 archwire-bracket couples by measuring the resistance to sliding (RS) at 15 different contact angles (theta) ranging from theta=0 degrees to theta=12 degrees and by subsequently determining a measured thetac. These values agreed with the calculated thetac values. When the practitioner knows the thetac, treatment time might be reduced because the teeth do not need to be over-aligned prior to employing sliding mechanics (i.e., by not making theta thetac) These results underscore the importance of exact wire and bracket dimensions on packaging; otherwise, sliding mechanics can be compromised by miscalculating thetac.
Image Restoration to Increase Resolution of the Fast-Neutron Hodoscope

The fast-neutron hodoscope is a cineradiographic device that monitors fuel motion within thick opaque test capsules during power transients at the Transient Reactor Test Facility reactor which simulate LM FBR accident conditions. By means of a collimator and a detector array, emissive neutron radiographic digital data is collected in time-resolved and time-integrated (scan) modes. The data is digitally reconstructed into radiographic images and used directly for quantitative analysis. Spatial resolution is adequate in most cases (due in part to fuel-motion correlation), but is marginal for a few experiments. To enhance the resolution of existing collimators, hardware and software techniques are being applied, including collimator repositioning, decreasing scan increments, noise reduction, and fitting procedures involving fuel-motion models and deconvolution. Significant improvements in spatial resolution have been obtained.
The Inertia of the 4He Crystal Surface and the Calculation of the Phonon Transmission

The temperature dependence of the surface inertia of atomically rough 4He crystals is discussed in terms of quantum kinks moving at velocities near the speed of sound in the liquid. The Wolf-Nozieres boundary conditions, which determine the transmission of high frequency phonons through the surface are derived. Neglecting the dependence on the azimuthal angle, we fit some of the published crystal shape measurements to find the surface tension, and the stiffness as a function of the angle from the c-axis. The surface stress, estimated from the temperature dependence of the surface stiffness along the melting curve, is about three times larger than the surface tension. The boundary conditions involve the surface elastic coefficients, which may be determined from the phonon transmission.
Detecting Structural Instability in Financial Time Series

This paper reviews the literature that deals with structural shifts in statistical models for financial time series. The issue of structural instability is at the heart of capital asset pricing theories on which many modern investment portfolio concepts and strategies rely. The need to better understand the nature of structural evolution and to devise effective control of the risk in real world investments has become ever more urgent in recent years. Since the early 2000s, concepts of financial engineering and the resulting product innovations have advanced in an astonishing pace, but unfortunately often based on a faulty premise, and without proper regulatory keep-ups. The developments have threatened to destabilize worldwide financial markets. We explain the principle and concepts behind these phenomena. Along the way we highlight developments related to these issues over the past few decades in the statistical, econometric, and financial literature. We also discuss recent events that illuminate the dynamics of structural evolution in the mortgage lending and credit industry.
Evaluation of a 5'-nuclease (TaqMan) assay for the detection of virulent strains of Yersinia enterocolitica in raw meat and tofu samples.

Culture methods for detecting virulent Yersinia enterocolitica require selective enrichment and a series of confirmatory tests that are time-consuming, costly, and laborious. The objective of this study was to evaluate a fluorogenic 5'-nuclease assay for detecting the enterotoxin yst gene of virulent Y. enterocolitica in pure cultures, inoculated ground pork samples, and naturally contaminated food samples. These results were then compared with "gold standard" methods recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the Bacteriological Analytical Manual for detecting pathogenic Y. enterocolitica. The 5'-nuclease assay was able to identify the organism in 100% of the repetitions when 10(2) CFU/ml or more organisms were present in pure cultures and 10(3) CFU/g or more organisms were present in ground pork. Similar recovery efficiency on cefsulodin-irgasan-novobiocin (CIN) agar plates was only evident when 10(5) CFU/ml or more organisms were present in pure culture and 10(6) CFU/g or more organisms were present in inoculated ground pork. The 5'-nuclease assay indicated a contamination rate of 35.5% (94/265) in various meats and tofu, whereas the CIN plating method indicated a contamination rate of 28.3% (75/265). This resulted in 100% sensitivity and 64.5% specificity for the 5'-nuclease assay when compared with the standard culture recovery method. Only 75% (60/80) of the Yersinia spp. isolated on CIN was identified as containing a virulence plasmid by autoagglutination and crystal violet binding tests. These results indicate that the true rate of contamination of virulent Y. enterocolitica in pork and other processed meats and foods is being underestimated using current detection methods. This study demonstrates the potential of the 5'-nuclease assay for rapidly and specifically detecting virulent Y. enterocolitica in processed foods with the added advantage of being an automated detection system with high-throughput capability.
Protein Degradation in Spontaneously Degenerating Muscles

The programmed death of the intersegmental muscles of moths provides an ideal situation in which to study protein catabolism. In this tissue, 50 to 100 mg (fresh weight) of muscle is resorbed during the first two days of adult existence. The intersegmental muscles are fully contractile at the moment of emergence, but begin to degenerate within three hours. Thus the situation provides us with a sufficiently large amount of relatively pure tissue, which degenerates rapidly and with good synchrony. Under such circumstances we can readily study the control of protein catabolism as well as its enzymology.
Supreme Court examines impact of errors in detecting bias during jury selection.

For many attorneys (and their trial consultants) jury selection is perceived as the pivotal trial within a trial that provides them an opportunity to participate in assembling a jury that will be receptive if not predisposed to their position. For prospective jurors, jury selection is also seen as a "trial" but in the very different sense that they may see it as placing their beliefs and attitudes on trial. The trial judge may also feel as if he or she is on trial, as an erroneous ruling during jury selection can be grounds for reversal on appeal regardless of the evidence that is subsequently introduced. Language: en
Current Trends in Water Jet Assisted Cutting Applications to Geotechnical Industry in USA

The primary use of the water jet assisted wet drum cutting in coal/rock excavation is to reduce ignition potential, suppress dust production, minimize wear on cutting tools, and clear away the cut products (debris) from the cutting tool tip so a free surface is available for efficient cutting. By the status of current applications, it can be said that dust reduction and ignition suppression have been the driving force behind the use of water assisted cutting technology while reduced wear on the bits and, in turn, the enhanced bit life are the alongside benefits. The use of water jets on cutting head drums of machines such as a continuous miner, a shearer, etc. with an intention to accomplish the above mentioned goals during coal/rock cutting is the focal point of this paper. The current trends in application of such wet drum cutting technology across the geotechnical industry in USA are explored. The ongoing research attempts at West Virginia University to study the effect of water jet assistance in rock cutting are highlighted. Results of preliminary studies conducted on an Automated Rotary Rock Coal/Rock Cutting Simulator (ARCCS) are also analyzed. The advantages in possible large scale applications of the wet drum cutting technology in the industry are discussed.
Change resistance moderates existence and longevity biases

AbstractEvidence has been found for existence and longevity biases—inferences of goodness from prevalence or longevity. We argue these biases actually emerge among change-resisting individuals. Our evidence suggests change-accepting individuals can even demonstrate a reversal of these biases. In two studies, change-resisting individuals’ attitudes were suggestive of existence and longevity biases while change-accepting individuals significantly reversed this pattern by evaluating long-standing or prevalent objects less favorably. Finally, we reanalyzed data from the existence and longevity biases literature previously reported in Social Influence. We found Americans identifying as more Republican—thus theorized as more change-resisting—were those who favored a long-standing practice. Altogether, we argue that existence and longevity biases emerge depending on individuals’ change resistance, indicating an important theoretical expansion.
Performance and Satisfaction in an Industrial Sales Force: An Examination of their Antecedents and Simultaneity:

Is the link between performance and job satisfaction myth or reality? Does performance influence satisfaction, or does satisfaction influence performance? This age-old managerial problem is examine...
U.S. Navy Mantech B2PCOE and the Lead Free Manhattan Project

The mission of the Navy Mantech Benchmarking and Best Practices Center of Excellence (B2PCOE) is to identify, validate, and disseminate best in-class practices, processes, methodologies, systems, and best practice technologies with the end objective of improving the level of competitiveness of the defense industrial base and the affordability of performance of defense platforms and weapons systems. Examples of projects that the B2PCOE is engaged in include shipbuilding manufacturing affordability, energy use, open systems architecture and tool use. An overview of the B2PCOE will be presented with a brief discussion of B2P methodology. A recently completed B2PCOE project, the Lead Free Manhattan Project (LFMP) will be then be discussed more fully. The LFMP was driven by the European Union ROHs directive and the associated WEEE directive, both of which have spurred commercial manufacturers to phase out the use of lead in electronics manufacturing. This has led to a number of critical issues for the Aerospace, Defense and other industries as well as a high degree of uncertainty as to what practices should be used in lead-free electronics manufacturing. The LFMP brought together 15 of the leading experts in the area of lead-free electronics for a focused two-week project. The objective of the project was to develop a report that outlined baseline or best practices in lead-free electronics manufacturing. The purpose of this case study is to describe the background, planning and organization for the project, to describe some of the important aspects of the project from a process point of view and discuss the key factors that led to the development of a high performing team and a successful outcome. Several key factors led to the success of the project. These included clarity of vision, leadership, team selection, effective collaboration, knowledge management, a structured development process and a good technical support system. Future plans for the LFMP will also be discussed.
Fauna in decline: beyond extinction.

In their Review “Defaunation in the Anthropocene” (25 July, p. [401][1]), R. Dirzo et al. confuse two separate processes that are important to conservation biology, extinction, and population decline. Traditionally, when species are referred to as extinct, it means they no longer have living members. The IUCN made a modification when it recognized “extinct in the wild” to be applied to species that existed only in captivity. Biodiversity loss or gain is usually quantified in terms of species numbers. Unlike extinction, in the case of a population collapse (a 90% decline), there can still be hope for recovery. Most extinctions have occurred on oceanic islands or in restricted freshwater locations, with very few occurring on Earth's continents or in the oceans. The world's greatest conservation problem is not species extinction, but rather the precarious state of thousands of populations that are the remnants of once widespread and productive species. ![Figure][2] The Wyoming toad ( Bufo baxteri ) has been categorized as extinct in the wild since 1991. PHOTO: SARA ARMSTRONG/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1251817 [2]: pending:yes
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a treatment review.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, which may affect 2% to 3% of the U.S. population, can be severely disabling, permeating an individual's personal, social, and work life. Only within the past 2 decades have effective treatments been proposed and tested. Specific behavior therapies such as exposure in vivo and response prevention have proved successful in decreasing compulsive rituals in 70% to 80% of patients who accept and comply with treatment. For those patients who do not respond to behavior therapy, medications should be used. To date the tricyclic clomipramine is the only medication that has been consistently effective in controlled studies. However, for certain patients other medications may be of benefit. For the minority of patients who do not respond to either behavior therapy or medication, psychosurgery--specifically stereotactic limbic leucotomy--should be considered a viable option.
Infectious complications in diabetic patients.

Diabetic patients have increased susceptibility to infection as a result of impairment of host defense mechanisms. The prevention, diagnosis, and management of common infectious complications, such as diabetic foot infections, are emphasized. The physician must also recognize less common but potentially fatal complications in which early intervention can save the life of the patient.
SU-F-T-223: Radiotherapy Incident Reporting and Analysis System (RIRAS):Early Experience

Background & Purpose: RIRAS is a web-based information system deployed on the Veterans Health Administration intranet in early 2014 to collect adverse events and good catch data; analyze the causes and contributing factors; and find ways to prevent future occurrences. Material and Methods: Incident learning consists of a feedback loop which starts with reporting an event, followed by analysis of contributing factors, and culminates in the development of a patient safety work product (PSWP) to prevent recurrence. RIRAS permits both anonymous and non-anonymous reporting. Each report is analyzed by a team of medical physicists who are independent of the reporting facility. The analysts usually contact the reporting facilities for additional information. We analyzed all reports and held telephonic interviews (when necessary) with the reporters. We then generated PSWPs with corrective/preventive and learning actions. Anonymous reporting is handled in the same manner, except without the ability to further interview the reporter. Results: In a significant number of reports, the causes and recommended preventive actions were considerably altered by the independent analysis and additional information from the facility. 130 reports have been entered in RIRAS; 9 misadministrations, 83 good catches, 3 anonymous good catches, and 35 earlier reported incidents from FY2005-14. 45% of the reported incidents occurred in the treatment delivery stages, 19% in on-treatment management, and 16% in pre-treatment verification. 80% of the good catches were found in the treatment delivery workflow. Majority of these incidents were due to inconsistent patient setup instructions or documentation, nonadherence to policies and procedures, lax time-out policy, distracted RTTs, and inadequate RTT staffing. Conclusion: RIRAS has identified many areas for improvement and elevated the quality and safety of radiation treatments in the VHA. We found that the ability to learn is significantly diminished when the analysts do not have the ability to request additional information.
Cumulative and residual effects of different potato cropping system management strategies on soilborne diseases and soil microbial communities over time

Soilborne potato diseases and soil microbial community characteristics were evaluated over 8 years in different potato cropping systems designed to address specific management goals of soil conservation, soil improvement and disease suppression. Results were compared to a standard rotation and non‐rotation control in field trials in Maine. Standard rotation consisted of barley underseeded with red clover, followed by potato (2‐year). Soil‐conserving system (SC) featured an additional year of forage grass and reduced tillage (3‐year, barley/timothy–timothy–potato). Soil‐improving system (SI) added yearly compost amendments to SC, and the disease‐suppressive system (DS) featured crops with known disease‐suppressive capability (3‐year, mustard/rapeseed–sudangrass/rye–potato). Systems were established in 2004, evaluated with and without irrigation, and actively managed until 2010, with potato also planted in 2011 and 2012 to examine residual effects. All rotations reduced soilborne diseases black scurf and common scab, and increased yield after one rotation cycle (3 years), but diseases increased overall after two rotation cycles. DS maintained lower soilborne disease levels than all other rotations, as well as high yields, throughout the study. Cropping system effects became more pronounced after multiple cycles. SI system and irrigation both resulted in higher yields, but also higher levels of soilborne disease. Cropping system and irrigation effects were significant even after systems were no longer maintained. Soil microbial community data showed significant changes associated with cropping system, and differences increased over time. Cropping system strategy had significant and lasting effects on soil microbiology and soilborne diseases, and can be used to effectively enhance potato production.
Independent or Integrated? The Impact on Subject Examination Scores of Changing a Neuropsychiatry Clerkship to Independent Clerkships in Psychiatry and Neurology.

This study was undertaken to assess any impact on National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) neurology and psychiatry subject examination scores of changing from an integrated neuropsychiatry clerkship to independent neurology and psychiatry clerkships. NBME psychiatry and neurology subject examinations scores were compared for all 625 students completing the required neuropsychiatry clerkship in academic years 2005–2006 through 2008–2009 with all 650 students completing the independent neurology and psychiatry clerkships in academic years 2009–2010 through 2012–2013. Statistical adjustments were made to ensure comparability across groups and over time. A significant improvement in subject examination scores was associated with the independent clerkships. The independent clerkship model was associated with a modest improvement in NBME subject examination scores. This finding may be attributable to many causes or combination of causes other than curricular design. Curricular planners need to pay attention to the potential impact of course integration on specialty-specific NBME subject examination performance.
Konrad Lorenz as Evolutionary Epistemologist: The Problem of Intentionality

Konrad Lorenz, winner of the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his contributions to the founding of ethology, has been preoccupied with epistemological questions throughout his career. His writings on the subject began in the 1930s and continue until the present.2 He has discussed the role of instinctual elements in human thinking and behavior and examined the implications for a society which is evolving faster than its individual members are evolving biologically (see Lorenz, 1966, 1974). Lorenz has also done a comparative examination of some features of human and animal ‘a prions’ and has argued that the results vindicate a correspondence theory of truth and justify the belief that human beings can approach to a knowledge of reality (see Lorenz, 1941).
Timing of Incident Stroke Risk After Cervical Artery Dissection Presenting Without Ischemia.

Background and Purpose— Cervical artery dissection is a common cause of stroke in young people. The temporal profile of stroke risk after cervical artery dissection presenting without ischemia remains uncertain. Methods— We performed a crossover cohort study using administrative claims data on all emergency department visits and acute care hospitalizations from 2005 to 2011 in CA, 2006 to 2013 in NY, and 2005 to 2013 in FL. Using previously validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, we identified patients with a cervical artery dissection and no previous or concurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack diagnosis. We compared the risk of stroke in successive 2-week periods during the 12 weeks after dissection versus the corresponding 2-week period 1 year later. Absolute risk increases were calculated using McNemar test for matched data. In a sensitivity analysis, we limited our population to patients presenting with typical symptoms of cervical artery dissection. Results— We identified 2791 patients with dissection without ischemia. The absolute increase in stroke risk was 1.25% (95% confidence interval, 0.84–1.67%) in the first 2 weeks after dissection compared with the same time period 1 year later. The absolute risk increase was 0.18% (95% confidence interval, 0.02–0.34%) during weeks 3 to 4 and was no longer significant during the remainder of the 12-week postdissection period. Our findings were similar in a sensitivity analysis identifying patients who presented with typical symptoms of acute dissection. Conclusions— The risk of stroke after cervical artery dissection unaccompanied by ischemia at time of diagnosis seems to be limited to the first 2 weeks.
EVALUATION OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR STRAIN BY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Introduction: Evidence of right ventricular strain (RVS) on either transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), computed tomography (CT), or electrocardiography (ECG) has been shown to increase the risk of adverse outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). We evaluated the combined
Cleomedes of Astypalaea: A possible early sufferer of chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Dementia pugilistica was the term adopted by H. Martland in 1928 to identify boxers with cognitive decline. In more recent years, the syndrome of dementia pugilistica with pathological correlates has been defined as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). A number of sportsmen have been recently diagnosed with CTE; and we may have identified an ancient Greek athlete of pankration who presented with the symptoms that have been associated with CTE. Our study reports the history and the known clinical information about Cleomedes of Astypalaea, possibly the first athlete ever affected by CTE.
Performance Improvement of Proportional Directional Control Valves: Methods and Experiments

This paper studies local valve control of the electro-hydraulic system. The sluggish response of hydraulic control valve usually becomes the bottleneck of whole system performance. Although fast valves (e.g. high-bandwidth servovalves) are available, they are far more expensive than slow valves (e.g. proportional directional control valves). To improve the performance of proportional directional control valves, three different types of controllers are synthesized. Firstly, based on the pole zero cancellation technique, an open loop compensator is designed which requires the accurate valve dynamic model information; Secondly, a full state feedback adaptive robust controller (ARC) is synthesized, which effectively takes into account the effect of parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities such as friction force and flow force. Finally, an output feedback ARC controller is synthesized to address the problem of unmeasurable states. Theoretically, the proposed ARC controllers guarantee a prescribed output tracking transient performance and final tracking accuracy while achieving asymptotic output tracking in the presence of parametric uncertainties. Comparative experimental results are obtained to show the advantages and limitations of each method.
Understanding the Millennials’ Integrated Ethical Decision-Making Process: Assessing the Relationship Between Personal Values and Cognitive Moral Reasoning:

Focusing on millennials, individuals born between 1980 and 2000 and representing the largest generational population in our history, this research seeks to understand their ethical decision-making ...
Women's Health Care:

What are the ethical issues related to the care of women that should be of concern to Catholic medical professionals? No doubt, many would identify abortion, contraception, and artificial reproduct...
Early results of lower dose dasatinib (50 mg daily) as frontline therapy for newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia.

Background Dasatinib is a potent BCR-ABL1 and Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is approved at a dose of 100 mg orally daily for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP). This dose schedule is associated with myelosuppression and pleural effusions. Anecdotal data suggest that lower doses may be as effective and less toxic. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a lower dose of dasatinib (50 mg daily) in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. Methods Seventy-five patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP received dasatinib 50 mg daily. The eligibility and response criteria were standards used in previous protocols. Results At a median follow-up of 9 months, 60 patients were evaluable for a response at 3 months. The rates of patients achieving BCR-ABL1 transcript levels ≤ 10% and ≤ 1% at 3 months by the International Standard were 93% and 72%, respectively. The rates of complete cytogenetic response by conventional cytogenetics or fluorescence in situ hybridization at 6 and 12 months were 86% and 88%, respectively. At 12 months, 79%, 71%, and 46% of the patients had achieved a major molecular response, a molecular response with a 4.0-log reduction, and a molecular response with a 4.5-log reduction, respectively. Nine patients had a dose interruption for ≤14 days. Only 1 patient developed a pleural effusion requiring a dose reduction to 20 mg. All patients remained alive and with no transformation so far. Conclusion Dasatinib 50 mg daily is active and well tolerated in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. It should be further explored as a new potential standard-of-care option for chronic myeloid leukemia. Cancer 2018;124:2740-2747. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Efficient K nearest neighbor algorithm implementations for throughput-oriented architectures

Scores of emerging and domain-specific applications need the ability to acquire and augment new knowledge from offline training-sets and online user interactions. This requires an underlying computing platform that can host machine learning (ML) kernels. This in turn entails one to have efficient implementations of the frequently-used ML kernels on state-of-the-art multicores and many-cores, to act as high-performance accelerators. Motivated by this observation, this paper focuses on one such ML kernel, namely, K Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and conducts a comprehensive comparison of its behavior on two alternate accelerator-based systems: NVIDIA GPU and Intel Xeon Phi (both KNC and KNL architectures). More explicitly, we discuss and experimentally evaluate various optimizations that can be applied to both GPU and Xeon Phi, as well as optimizations that are specific to either GPU or Xeon Phi. Furthermore, we implement different versions of KNN on these candidate accelerators and collect experimental data using various inputs. Our experimental evaluations suggest that, by using both general purpose and accelerator specific optimizations, one can achieve average speedups ranging 0.49x–3.48x (training) and 1.43x–9.41x (classification) on Xeon Phi series, compared to 0.05x–0.60x (training), 1.61x–6.32x (classification) achieved by the GPU version, both over the standard host-only system.
The Density Matrix and Partition Function in Quantum Statistical Mechanics

In quantum statistical mechanics one has the fundamental object ρ(β; x a ,x b ), a matrix entry which defines the density matrix ρl, given in the Feynman formulation by the Euclidean path integral of the preceding chapter: $$\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {\rho {{{(\beta ;{{x}_{a}},{{x}_{b}})}}^{{\underline{\underline {def}} }}}\int_{{{{x}_{a}} = x(0)}}^{{{{x}_{b}} = x(\beta \hbar )}} {\exp ( - {{S}_{E}}(x(t))/\hbar )D[x(t)]} } \\ { = {{I}_{E}}(0,\beta \hbar ,{{x}_{a}},{{x}_{b}})} \\ \end{array}$$ (14.1.1) where \(\beta = \tfrac{1}{{kT}}\) is the inverse temperature \(\tfrac{1}{T}\) up to a constant \(\tfrac{1}{k}\), k being Boltzmann’s constant. From ρ one obtains the all-important partition function Ζ as a trace: $$\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {Z = \int_{{ - \infty }}^{\infty } {\rho (\beta ;x,x)dx} } \hfill \\ { = \int_{{ - \infty }}^{\infty } {\int_{{x(0) = x}}^{{x(\beta \hbar ) = x}} {\exp ( - {{S}_{E}}(x(t))/\hbar )D[x(t)]dx.} } } \hfill \\ \end{array}$$ (14.1.2)
Elizabeth Taylor and Illness as a Negotiation of Femininity in Fan Magazines, 1960-1965

Fan magazines, primarily aimed at female audiences, provide a lens through which to analyze attitudes about female sexuality. In the 1960s, Elizabeth Taylor was one of the most popular stars in fan magazines. While coverage of her often focused on issues related to her marriages and children, another narrative about her health dominated headlines in the early part of the decade. Speculation about Taylor’s illnesses stood in for a larger discourse about female appetites, ambition, and containment. This illness discourse gave fans graphic access to Taylor’s body in ways that were gruesome rather than erotic as descriptions of her physical maladies reached ecstatic proportions. Public discourse about Taylor’s health functioned in complex ways that affirmed and challenged ideologically conservative constructions of femininity and motherhood. This essay explores Taylor’s appearances in fan magazines during the period 1960-1965 to examine the relationship between the star and notions of ambition, illness, and domesticity.
An introduction to the why and how of risk adjustment

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health services researchers often adjust for the differing risk profiles of selected patient populations for a variety of purposes. This paper explains the major...
“The Line Drawn”: Freedom Corner and Rhetorics of Place in Pittsburgh, 1960s-2000s

This paper provides insight into how place can be important to the goals of a social movement. Through analysis of a series of historical events, I explore how a place can be constructed by a socia...
Validity of Activity Trackers in Estimating Energy Expenditure During High-Intensity Functional Training.

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the agreement of five commercially available accelerometers in estimating energy expenditure while performing an acute bout of high-intens...
Routine postoperative radiographs after tibia plateau fixation have minimal impact on patient care

Abstract Introduction Common practice in orthopedic surgery is to obtain postoperative radiographs to evaluate for healing or complications. Images obtained in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) have not been shown to positively impact patient care. This study plans to evaluate the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of PACU postoperative radiographs following tibial plateau open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Methods Data from 211 patients who underwent a tibial plateau ORIF over a 5-year period at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed to determine if a patient received a postoperative radiograph in the PACU. Radiograph and clinical notes were reviewed to determine if postoperative radiograph resulted in management changes. Radiograph charges were calculated using CPT codes. Results A total of 142 of 211 patients (67.3%) who underwent tibial plateau ORIF received a postoperative radiograph while in the PACU. The majority of the radiographs had normal findings (88.7%). Of the 142 patients with postoperative imaging, subsequent management changes occurred for only one patient (0.7%). In this case, an incidental foot fracture was found which resulted in further CT imaging to assess the fracture. Other abnormal radiograph readings (11.3%) were generally due to incidental, chronic findings that did not require management changes. The average postoperative radiograph cost was $433.55 per patient, totaling $91,480 for 142 patients over a 5-year period. Conclusions Routine postoperative radiographs following tibial plateau ORIF resulted in minimal management change patients in this series. The substantial cost of postoperative radiographs yielding little clinical utility suggests the use of routine PACU imaging following tibial plateau ORIF should be discontinued. Imaging would only be indicated in situations where intraoperative complications are suspected, thus reducing unnecessary imaging and patient cost.
Role of dinitrile plasticizer chain lengths in electrochemical performance of highly conductive polymer electrolyte membrane for lithium ion battery

Abstract The present article entails the effect of chain lengths or number of carbons (n) of dinitrile plasticizers (NC-(CH2)n-CN) in ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) containing poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA) precursor and lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt. Ternary phase diagrams of PEGDA, dinitrile plasticizers/ionizers such as succinonitrile (SCN, n = 2), glutaronitrile (GLN, n = 3), and adiponitrile (ADN, n = 4) plasticizers, and LiTFSI salt blends were established to provide guidance for photo-curing the amorphous PEM mixtures. The resulting photo-cured PEM networks exhibited very high room-temperature ionic conductivity at the level of 10−3 S/cm. Among them, the GLN-plasticized PEM revealed the highest ionic conductivity (∼2.3 × 10−3 S/cm) with a very wide working temperature window from −80 °C to 60 °C. The electrochemical stability of these dinitrile-plasticized PEM networks was evaluated in half-cell configurations (viz., Li4Ti5O12/PEM/Li and LiFePO4/PEM/Li) using Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) and LiFePO4 (LFP) electrodes by means of potentiostat for cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling. The effect of chain lengths of the dinitrile plasticizers on the electrochemical performance of the PEM network is discussed.
Reevaluating the role of ferritin in the diagnosis of adult secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Background The standard diagnostic criteria for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) include hyperferritinemia to >500 ng/mL. This ferritin threshold is based on pediatric data, and evidence for its application among adults with secondary HLH is lacking. Objective and methods We conducted a retrospective study assessing the relationship between extreme hyperferritinemia and adult secondary HLH at our institution. All adult inpatients seen over a 10-year period, with serum ferritin >5000 ng/mL, were included. Results Among 1055 patients with serum ferritin >5000 ng/mL, there were 69 cases of HLH (HLH prevalence of 6.5%). Mean ferritin among HLH patients was 70 398 ng/mL (SD 122 908), median 40 019 ng/mL (IQR 16 051-68 326). The prevalence of HLH only reached 50% as serum ferritin approached 90 000 ng/mL. A variety of conditions were contributory to hyperferritinemia, most commonly bacterial sepsis (33%), hematologic malignancy (29%), renal failure (24%), and liver injury (18%). The optimal cutoff ferritin for diagnosis of HLH was 16 000 ng/mL (sensitivity 79.4%, specificity 79.2%, PPV 20.9%, and NPV 98.2%). Conclusions The threshold ferritin levels used in diagnostic criteria for adult secondary HLH are too low to be clinically relevant, and efforts should be undertaken to revise them upward. Similar reappraisals should be taken of the other criteria used to diagnose adult HLH.
A Rare Case of Neisseria animaloris Hand Infection and Associated Nonhealing Wound

Neisseria animaloris is a rare pathogen in humans primarily associated with dog and cat bites. Fourteen cases have been documented in the literature related to the difficulty in identifying this bacterium in the laboratory. We present a patient case demonstrating a prolonged treatment course, which is often seen as the result of misdiagnosis, and subsequent nonhealing wound requiring multiple surgeries and eventual wide excision with staged graft coverage. We discuss the clinical course, laboratory identification techniques, surgical treatment, and patient outcome.