cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Politico-Military Organization in the United Kingdom: Some Recent Developments

T HE AIM OF THIS PAPER is to outline a few of the most significant developments in the postwar organization of British defense, and to relate these to the broader subject of our principal ally's foreign policy machinery.' While noting the general similarities of American and British views of the role of government and the military in society, differences of constitutional structure affecting politico-military policy-making should be remembered. We must keep in mind, furthermore, the more deeply rooted British traditions of civil control, which would probably never have permitted such recent and overt contestings of central authority as those of Generals Douglas MacArthur and Edwin Walker. And both constitutional and customary in Britain are the homogeneity, the "permanence" and the intimate working relationships of their preponderantly influential civil and scientific bureaucrats. Any consideration of the role of the Ministry of Defence in postWorld War II Britain must recognize the decline in financial and military power and prestige of the United Kingdom and her fragmented Commonwealth. While her authority in world affairs has contracted at least since 1945, that of the United States has come to share the status of "superpower" only with the Soviet Union. The causes of these conflicting trends are numerous and complex, as is well-known. In the case of Britain, her reduced military strength has led to intra-Commonwealth armed clash, insult by colonials, and the burning of her embassies, which in an earlier day would have drawn swift retribution, perhaps even annexation to the Empire. In world
Resistance Training Improves Gait Kinematics in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Gutierrez GM, Chow JW, Tillman MD, McCoy SC, Castellano V, White LJ. Resistance training improves gait kinematics in persons with multiple sclerosis. Objective To evaluate the effects of an 8-week lower-body resistance-training program on walking mechanics in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design Repeated-measures design, evaluating gait kinematics before and after an 8-week progressive resistance-training intervention. Setting Biomechanics laboratory and fitness center (with conventional, commercially available resistance-training equipment). Participants Eight ambulatory subjects with MS (age, 46.0±11.5y) with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores ranging from 2.5 to 5.5. Intervention An 8-week progressive resistance-training program. Main Outcome Measures Kinematic gait parameters including knee range of motion, duration of stance, swing, and double-support phases in seconds and as percentages of the stride time, percentage of stride time spent in stance, swing, and double-support phases, step length, foot angle, stride length, velocity, step width, and toe clearance for both the more affected and less affected lower limbs. Isometric strength, 3-minute stepping, fatigue, and self-reported disability were also measured. Results After 2 months of resistance training, there were significant increases ( P P P P =.04), whereas self-reported disability tended to decrease ( P =.07) following the training program. Three-minute stepping increased by 8.7%. Conclusions Resistance training may be an effective intervention strategy for improving walking and functional ability in moderately disabled persons with MS.
The initiation of colon cancer in a chronic inflammatory setting

Chronic inflammation predisposes to cancer. We used an inflammation-induced human model of tumorigenesis to explore how populations of mutated cells expand and initiate the earliest stages of cancer. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer mediated through a process of genomic instability. In order to characterize the process of clonal expansion, arbitrary primed (AR) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) PCR DNA fingerprint mutation profiles of single crypts were compared with the mutational profiles from clusters of crypts and whole biopsies within the same individual. To provide information at the earliest steps of neoplastic progression, we examined histologically negative crypts, as well as dysplastic crypts. Crypts from UC dysplasia/cancer show alterations in 10--20% of DNA fingerprint sites, regardless of (i) whether the crypts were dysplastic or non-dysplastic and (ii) whether the DNA came from one crypt or thousands of crypts. Of the mutational changes in single crypts, almost half are clonally expanded to adjacent crypts and/or to the thousands of crypts in a single biopsy. Using fluorescent in-situ hybridization to examine p53 alterations in individual crypt cells, we demonstrate that the mechanism of clonal expansion can occur through crypt fission. DNA alterations are initiated in colonic crypts and expand to adjacent crypts through crypt fission. Our data suggest that a continuous process of DNA mutations, clonal expansion through crypt fission and clonal succession initiates the development of inflammatory-associated colon cancer; this mutational process is moderated by crypt cell turnover and cell death. This paradigm may apply to other inflammatory-induced cancers.
Including gynecological teaching associates' perspectives in women's health exams: lessons for improved communication practices.

For more than 30 years, the medical community has made specific efforts to improve women's health screenings, namely, pelvic examinations. Adequately providing women with health care and addressing...
Unconstrained handwritten character recognition using metaclasses of characters

In this paper we tackle the problem of unconstrained handwritten character recognition using different classification strategies. For such an aim, four multilayer perceptron classifiers (MLP) were built and used into three different classification strategies: combination of two 26-class classifiers; 26-metaclass classifier; 52-class classifier. Experimental results on the NIST SD19 database have shown that the recognition rate achieved by the metaclass classifier (87.8%) outperforms the other approaches (82.9% and 86.3%).
LDPC coded modulation MIMO OFDM transceiver: performance comparison with MAP equalization

We study the performance of coded modulation schemes where the Gallager code is used as the underlying frequency-space code over MIMO fading ISI channels. Two systems are compared: one is the OFDM based system; the other is the single-carrier system, which employs the turbo-iterative decoding, and equalization at the receiver. With simulations over a number of ISI channels, we confirm that in all channel settings detection performance-perhaps already well known. In this paper, a particular attention is given to answer the question: how close is the performance of OFDM system to the performance of the optimal time-domain equalization when the LDPC code is used as the frequency-space code. It is shown that over the ensemble of MIMO fading channels, the performance degradation of OFDM is only about 2 dB, when two transmit and two receive antennas are used.
Cold nuclear fusion

Recent accelerator experiments on fusion of various elements have clearly demonstrated that the effective cross-sections of these reactions depend on what material the target particle is placed in. In these experiments, there was a significant increase in the probability of interaction when target nuclei are imbedded in a conducting crystal or are a part of it. These experiments open a new perspective on the problem of so-called cold nuclear fusion.
The Practice: A Second Bite at the Certification Apple in State Court? Justices Will Weigh Whether State Court Litigants May Be Prevented from Relitigating Once a Federal Court Denies Certification

Commentary and analysis of the Supreme Court’s consideration of Smith v. Bayer Corp. on the Court’s 2011 appellate docket. The Court will address the significant question whether litigants are free to seek class certification in a duplicative state court action, where a federal court has already considered the class certification decision under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 and denied class certification. The Smith v. Bayer appeal presents the Court with competing important policy concerns. The plaintiffs suggest that the case involves important questions of federalism, wherein state courts are free to determine legal issues according to their own interpretations of rules and procedures, even if those rules (in this instance class action rules) are identical to the federal rule. On the other hand, the defendant points out that upholding the ability of plaintiffs to seek class certification in state court, after being denied class certification in federal court, blatantly encourages the worst types of forum-shopping for state court plaintiff-favoring venues. The appeal involves consideration of the federal Anti-Injunction Act, which embodies the principle that federal courts in most instances may not interfere or enjoin state court proceedings. In the underlying litigation, a Minnesota federal court issued an injunction restraining a West Virginia state court from considering class certification of a virtually identical class action in which the Minnesota court previously denied class certification. The Court will consider whether any exception to the Anti-Injunction Act ― or any principles of res judicata or estoppel ― apply to prevent relitigation of the class certification issue. The Smith v. Bayer appeal carries great weight in light of the potential for parallel, duplicative class action litigation in state and federal courts, as well as forum-shopping opportunities for class litigants.
Socrates on the emotions

In Plato’s Protagoras, Socrates clearly indicates that he is a cognitivist about the emotions—in other words, he believes that emotions are in some way constituted by cognitive states. It is perhaps because of this that some scholars have claimed that Socrates believes that the only way to change how others feel about things is to engage them in rational discourse, since that is the only way, such scholars claim, to change another’s beliefs. But in this paper we show that Socrates is also responsive to, and has various non-rational strategies for dealing with, the many ways in which emotions can cloud our judgment and lead us into poor decision-making. We provide an account of how Socrates can consistently be a cognitivist about emotion and also have more than purely rational strategies for dealing with emotions. http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/2183-4105_15_1
A Photodependent Switch of Liposome Stability and Permeability

Liposomes offer a method to encapsulate high concentrations of a drug, protecting the therapeutic upon in vivo administration. With an appropriate mechanism to manipulate lipid bilayer permeability, liposomes have the potential to deliver encapsulated drugs in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. In this investigation, the photosensitizer aluminum phthalocyanine disulfonic acid (AlPcS(2)) is identified as a modulator of the colloidal properties of liposomes. AlPcS(2) adsorption to liposomes stabilizes lipid bilayers and reduces permeability. Spectroscopic data suggests that AlPcS(2) interacts with the phospholipid to increase lipid bilayer stability. In the presence of AlPcS(2), the liposome permeability was five times lower than that without the photosensitizer. This results in more stable liposome systems that contain higher doses of the encapsulated material for longer. Then, upon irradiation of the AlPcS(2)-liposome system with tissue penetrating red light, lipid bilayer permeability increases 10-fold over the baseline. The release is shown to be a singlet oxygen mediated process, due to the type II photodynamic action of AlPcS(2). It is concluded that this activity provides a novel photorelease mechanism for liposome mediated drug delivery.
A naturalistic study of narrative: Exploring the choice and impact of adversity versus other narrative topics.

OBJECTIVE Many narrative interventions require participants to write about trauma and adverse experiences, but some research suggests that open-ended topic prompts can also be effective. In this study, we investigated the topics participants chose to write about in a values-narrative program that offered wide discretion in topic and theme, and explored how that was associated with perceptions of investment and impact. METHOD Participants were 717 individuals (68% women) from the rural South, United States who had participated in a values-narrative program. RESULTS Almost half of the narratives (44%) focused on an adverse experience as part of the development of their personal values. Other personal stories were also common (37%), and only 19% wrote a narrative not connected to a personal life experience. Participants who had more exposure to family or peer victimization were more likely to write about adversity. Participants who wrote about adversity and shared their narratives with others reported more positive and fewer negative impacts. Encouragement and more time writing were also associated with better outcomes. CONCLUSION When given the choice of essay topic, participants who chose to write about an adverse event were likely to have had a more meaningful writing experience. Values narratives offer a potentially important opportunity for incorporating narrative into primary prevention programs, because they can be used with groups that include individuals who have and have not experienced adversity. Narratives have been shown to be a powerful psychological intervention and expanding to primary prevention holds considerable promise. Further, they do not require prior disclosure of adversity. (PsycINFO Database Record
Thermodynamic Concepts—Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium During Solidification

Thermodynamics is a useful tool for the analysis of solidification. It is used to evaluate alloy phase constitution, the solidification path, basic alloy properties such as partition coefficients , slopes of liquidus, and solidus phase boundaries.
Presentation of a Müllerian anomaly with outflow obstruction after tubal ligation

Objective To report an unusual presentation of a patient with unicornuate uterus and a noncommunicating functional rudimentary horn and discuss related patient management issues. Setting University hospital. Patient A 27-year-old woman who presented with cyclic abdominal pain after a postpartum tubal ligation. Intervention Diagnostic studies followed by a laparotomy and resection of the rudimentary horn. Results Resolution of patient’s symptoms. Conclusions Patients with a unicornuate uterus and a rudimentary horn recognized for the first time during a tubal ligation require individualized management depending in part on the precise nature of the horn.
Energization Failures Analysis of Xiang-Shang UHVDC Converter Transformer

A particular analysis about the first three energization failures of pole Ⅰ high voltage converter transformer at Fulong station during initial stage of the third phase commissioning of Xiang-Shang ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current(UHVDC) transmission project is presented.Based on the function and operation principle of valve base electronics(VBE),switching philosophy of valve cooling system,and inrush current produced when energizing the transformer,a study on energization failure is completed.It is concluded that high inrush current and weak sending terminal,which causes distortion of bus-bar AC voltage,result in a valve fault erratically detected by the VBE,and valve cooling systems switching over abnormally so as to trip the transformer.Some suggestions based on the conclusion are proposed for solving these problems,which can also provide certain technical reference for normal operation of existing and coming projects.
Vibrational Signatures of Solvent-Mediated Deformation of the Ternary Core Ion in Size-Selected [MgSO4Mg(H2O)n=4-11](2+) Clusters.

Elucidation of the molecular-level mechanics underlying the dissolution of salts is one of the long-standing, fundamental problems in electrolyte chemistry. Here we follow the incremental structural changes that occur when water molecules are sequentially added to the ternary [MgSO4Mg]2+ ionic assembly using cryogenic vibrational predissociation spectroscopy of the cold, mass-selected [MgSO4Mg(H2O)n=4–11]2+ cluster ions. Although the bare [MgSO4Mg]2+ ion could not be prepared experimentally, its calculated minimum energy structure corresponds to a configuration where the two Mg2+ ions attach on opposite sides of the central SO42– ion in a bifurcated fashion to yield a D2d symmetry arrangement. Analysis of the observed spectral patterns indicate that water molecules preferentially attach to the flanking Mg2+ ions for the n ≤ 7 hydrates, which results in an incremental weakening of the interaction between the ions. Water molecules begin to interact with the sequestered SO42– anion promptly at n = 8, where c...
Evolutionary Endocrinology of Hormonal Rhythms: Juvenile Hormone Titer Circadian Polymorphism in Gryllus firmus

Daily rhythms for hormonal traits are likely widespread and important aspects of organismal (e.g., life history) adaptation. Yet they remain substantially understudied, especially with respect to variable rhythms within species. The cricket, Gryllus firmus, exhibits a genetically polymorphic circadian rhythm for the blood titer of the key hormone, juvenile hormone (JH). Gryllus firmus is also wing-polymorphic, consisting of a dispersing morph that delays reproduction and a flightless morph with substantially enhanced egg production. JH circadian phenotype strongly covaries with morph type: The blood JH titer is strongly rhythmic in multiple populations artificially-selected for the dispersing morph (LW(f) = long wings with functional flight muscles) and is essentially arrhythmic in populations selected for the SW (short-winged) morph. Association between JH titer cycle and LW(f) morph is also found in natural populations of G. firmus and in several related species in the field. This is one of the very few studies of endocrine titer variation in natural populations of an insect. The morph-specific cycle is underlain by a circadian rhythm in hormone biosynthesis, which in turn is underlain by a rhythm in a brain neuropeptide regulator of JH biosynthesis. The morph-specific JH titer circadian cycle is also strongly correlated with a morph-specific daily rhythm in global gene expression. This is currently the only example of a genetically-variable hormone circadian rhythm in both the laboratory and field that is strongly associated with an ecologically important polymorphism. The extensive information on the underlying causes of the morph-specific JH titer rhythm, coupled with the strong association between the JH circadian rhythm and wing polymorphism makes this system in G. firmus an exceptional experimental model to investigate the mechanisms underlying circadian hormonal adaptations. Genetic polymorphism for the JH titer circadian rhythm in G. firmus is discussed in context of circadian rhythms for endocrine traits reported for vertebrates and insects. Consequences of the failure to identify endocrine circadian rhythms on the accuracy of estimation of quantitative-genetic parameters, such as heritability and correlations between hormonal and fitness-related traits, are also discussed.
Foundation and Structure

In this chapter, I critically examine current models of post-show discussions and the need to establish a clear foundation for post-show discussions. I then move into a more practical-focused presentation of how to build first a foundation for and then structures within the post-show discussion. Finally, I provide the reader with a variety of structural strategies that can be used and modified for use in the post-show discussions rather than simply following the traditional question and answer format. Within this discussion, I weigh the pros and cons of open versus closed-format discussions. I also discuss the importance of pre-show prep including the curtain speech, lobby displays, and program notes to the success of post-show discussions.
Worldsheet S-Matrix

To address the puzzles outlined in the previous chapter we find it very instructive to analyze in details the on-shell amplitudes of particles propagating on the string worldsheet. First, in Sects. 3.1 and 3.2 we analyze the soft theorems that these amplitudes satisfy due to non-linearly realized Poincare symmetry [12]. In Sects. 3.3 and 3.4 we repeat the perturbative calculations of four-particle amplitudes done in [11] and in Sect. 3.5 we obtain the exact S-matrix in the case of critical dimension [10]. In Sect. 3.6 we give the results for the one-loop six-point amplitude [8] and show that an S-matrix of a theory of D − 2 massless particles cannot be integrable if one insists on D-dimensional Poincare invariance unless D = 3 or 26. In Sect. 3.7 we show that the only integrable S-matrix of D − 2 massless particles that has the full D-dimensional Poincare symmetry is (1.2) for critical dimensions.
PET imaging of chemokine receptors in acute lung injury

649 Objectives Chemokines regulate inflammation following lung injury by attracting immune cells bearing cognate chemokine receptors. The goal of this study was to determine the capacity of a PET probe derived from the viral chemokine analogue, viral macrophage inflammatory protein-II (vMIP), to report lung injury in a mouse model. Methods The vMIP peptide was conjugated with DOTA, labeled with 64Cu and injected intravenously for PET. Intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce injury in mouse lungs and compared to PBS. Biodistribution and PET/CTwas conducted up to 6 days post injury. PET after competitive blockade and the use of a control protein probe with similar molecular weight of vMIP were used to confirm the targeting specificity of vMIP. Lungs were collected post LPS for RT-PCR analysis. A fluorescent-labeled vMIP peptide was used for cellular localization. Results Biodistribution at 24 h post LPS/PBS treatment showed greater lung uptake of 64Cu-DOTA-vMIP in LPS (2.81 ± 0.28%ID/g) compared to PBS (1.07 ± 0.13%ID/g) treated mice at 1 h post probe injection (p Conclusions PET/CTshowed targeted 64Cu-DOTA-vMIP imaging of chemokine receptors in lung injury. The fast lung clearance, low non-specific retention and imaging specificity suggest that the vMIP probe is a useful tool to study lung inflammation. Research Support National Institutes of Health, Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology (HHSN268201000046C).
Altered pre-ejection period response to social evaluative threat in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Introduction The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is involved in regulating social behavior; Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by alterations in social behavior and reduced physiological response to threat. We hypothesized that adolescents with ASD would show reduced ANS response to social threat. Methods Eighteen males with ASD and thirteen males with typical development (TD), ages 12 to 17, completed a social threat paradigm while wearing an impedance cardiography apparatus. We calculated pre-ejection period (PEP) and tested for between-group differences in PEP response to social threat. We also conducted correlation analyses between PEP change scores and clinical symptom scales. Results There was an effect of diagnosis on change in PEP from baseline to the onset of social threat (F = 7.60, p = 0.01), with greater changes in PEP in TD compared to ASD. PEP change score and the Social Communication Questionnaire (r = 0.634, p = 0.005) and the ADHD Problems Subscale of the Child Behavior Checklist (r = 0.568, p = 0.014) were correlated. Conclusions These findings suggest reduced arousal in response to social threat in ASD, with preliminary evidence that reduced sympathetic activation is associated with increased social behavior symptoms.
Bootstrap inference for misspecified moment condition models

We study the standard-bootstrap, the centered-bootstrap, and the empirical-likelihood bootstrap tests of hypotheses used in conjunction with generalized method of moments inference in correctly specified and misspecified moment condition models. We show that, under correct specification, the standard-bootstrap estimator of the null distribution of the J-test converges in distribution to a random distribution, verifying its inconsistency, while the centered and the empirical-likelihood bootstrap estimators are consistent. We provide higher-order expansions of the size distortions of the analytic and the bootstrap tests. We show that the standard-bootstrap parameter-tests are consistent under misspecification, while the centered-bootstrap parameter-tests are inconsistent. We propose a general bootstrap methodology which is highly accurate under correct specification and consistent under misspecification. In a simulation study, we explore the finite sample behavior of the analytic and the bootstrap tests for a panel data model and we apply our methodology on a real-world data set.
Future Education and Practice Initiatives in Hand Surgery: Improving Fulfillment of Patient Needs

Abstract In the current health care environment, there are several areas in the delivery of health care to patients having hand surgery that need improvement to adequately fulfill patient needs, including difficulty in maintaining adequate emergency call coverage for patients having hand surgery, decreasing trends in hand surgeons willing to perform microsurgery and replantation, and deficiencies in musculoskeletal education of non-hand surgery providers. Both educational reforms and reforms in the practice environment are needed to improve the ability of hand surgeons to fulfill patient needs in the future.
The Community as Family: Resilience in Older Women Religious Sexually Abused in Early Life

The horrific events of September 11, 2001, traumatized all of our communities to various degrees. The enormous ramifications and pervasive consequences that these traumatic events are having on our way of life are evidenced in our airports, postal services, workplaces, schools, and homes. Our sense of safety from terrorist attacks and our previously unshakable belief that such devastation could not happen here have been severely eroded. The resulting anxieties, fears, and apprehensions about the future have permeated our daily lives and are potent ingredients for discord, disconnection, and disharmony among communities, families, and individuals. Much is at stake when individuals and communities are traumatized, and a “community as family” approach is offered here as one way to enhance resilience relative to the chronic conditions that trauma often entails.
Anesthesia Machine Design

In the United States anesthesia machines have advanced because of new data management and data display technology. Anesthesia machine based computer networks now acquire data from the anesthesia machine, the breathing circuit sensors and the patient monitors. Thus, the anesthesia machine has become the focal point for data collection, data management and data display. Machines now have user configurable displays with numeric data, graphic displays, wave forms and trends. Computer tools are now available so the untrained user can use menues, organ specific data structures, task oriented communication protocols and data editing facilities Computer networks now link the preoperative, postoperative, and operating rooms and provide data access from all sites. Numerous research groups are looking at correlations within the computer data base, attempting to automatically display the most meaningful data, when it is needed most for decision making.
Structural and Functional Analysis of GRP94 in the Closed State Reveals an Essential Role for the Pre-N Domain and a Potential Client-Binding Site.

Hsp90 chaperones undergo ATP-driven conformational changes during the maturation of client proteins, populating a closed state upon ATP binding in which the N-terminal domains of the homodimer form a second inter-protomer dimer interface. A structure of GRP94, the endoplasmic reticulum hsp90, in a closed conformation has not been described, and the determinants that regulate closure are not well understood. Here, we determined the 2.6-A structure of AMPPNP-bound GRP94 in the closed dimer conformation. The structure includes the pre-N domain, a region preceding the N-terminal domain that is highly conserved in GRP94, but not in other hsp90s. We show that the GRP94 pre-N domain is essential for client maturation, and we identify the pre-N domain as an important regulator of ATPase rates and dimer closure. The structure also reveals a GRP94:polypeptide interaction that partially mimics a client-bound state. The results provide structural insight into the ATP-dependent client maturation process of GRP94.
Tweets of surveillance: Traffic, Twitter, and securitization in Beirut, Lebanon:

More than a decade ago, Akhil Gupta and James Ferguson set out to define a research program with their essay ‘Spatializing States: Toward an Ethnography of Neoliberal Governmentality’ (2002). Explo...
Oncologic emergencies in a cancer center emergency department and in general emergency departments countywide and nationwide

Background Although cancer patients (CPs) are increasingly likely to visit emergency department (ED), no population-based study has compared the characteristics of CPs and non-cancer patients (NCPs) who visit the ED and examined factors associated with hospitalization via the ED. In this study, we (1) compared characteristics and diagnoses between CPs and NCPs who visited the ED in a cancer center or general hospital; (2) compared characteristics and diagnoses between CPs and NCPs who were hospitalized via the ED in a cancer center or general hospital; and (3) investigated important factors associated with such hospitalization. Methods and findings We analyzed patient characteristic and diagnosis [based on International Classification of Diseases-9 (ICD-9) codes] data from the ED of a comprehensive cancer center (MDACC), 24 general EDs in Harris County, Texas (HCED), and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 1/1/2007–12/31/2009. Approximately 3.4 million ED visits were analyzed: 47,245, 3,248,973, and 104,566 visits for MDACC, HCED, and NHAMCS, respectively, of which 44,143 (93.4%), 44,583 (1.4%), and 632 (0.6%) were CP visits. CPs were older than NCPs and stayed longer in EDs. Lung, gastrointestinal (excluding colorectal), and genitourinary (excluding prostate) cancers were the three most common diagnoses related to ED visits at general EDs. CPs visiting MDACC were more likely than CPs visiting HCED to be privately insured. CPs were more likely than NCPs to be hospitalized. Pneumonia and influenza, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and fever were important predictive factors for CP hospitalization; coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and heart failure were important factors for NCP hospitalization. Conclusions CPs consumed more ED resources than NCPs and had a higher hospitalization rate. Given the differences in characteristics and diagnoses between CPs and NCPs, ED physicians must pay special attention to CPs and be familiar with their unique set of oncologic emergencies.
Counting circular caterpillars

Our objects are (2.1) to introduce the graphical concept of a circular caterpillar together with cyclical "code" of non-negative integers, and (2.2) to provide an elementary example of the simplest kind of application of the celebrated Polya Enumeration Theorem.
Application of graded finite elements for asphalt pavement analysis

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the application of graded finite elements for pavement analysis. Numerical examples discussed in the chapter illustrate the benefits of using graded elements in pavement analysis. This chapter also presents an investigation of stress intensity factors considering cracks on the surface of an aged asphalt pavement system. The graded finite element methods presented in the chapter appears to provide superior results over the conventional layered finite element approach. The use of fine meshes and stress averaging techniques can be used to minimize errors in the layered approach; however, both of these techniques can have significant drawbacks. Fine meshes are computationally expensive, particularly when conducting three-dimensional analyses. Furthermore, the averaging of nodal stresses may lead to inaccuracies in areas of high stress gradient, such as in the vicinity of cracks, layer interfaces and other discontinuities.
Axiomatic Theory Of Design Modeling

In this paper, an axiomatic theory is established for studying design. Using this theory, a formal model of design is derived to represent the syntactic structure of hierarchical evolving design objects and the dynamic design process. The axiomatic theory can be used by design theorists and computer scientists as a formal logical tool to model design whereas the derived formal model can be used by designers to organize their design activities and by software developers to implement various CAD systems. The axiomatic theory includes two groups of axioms: axioms of objects and axioms of the human thought. They address the character of two central entities in the design process: nature and the human thought. Two important notions derived from the axioms are structure and range operations, which naturally represent basic thought processes, such as aggregation and generalization, in the design process. Related work is reviewed to show the history of the axiomatic approach to the modeling of design. The future directions are also given.
Biomarkers to Predict Glaucoma Surgical Success

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a primary neuronal disease of the optic nerve without a definable cause which may require surgical intervention to prevent further visual loss and/or normalize intraocular pressure. Worldwide, POAG is the second leading cause of blindness; there are 45 million people today with POAG and bilateral blindness is present in 4.5 million people. We cataloged all known ocular biomarkers in the aqueous humor, trabecular meshwork, optic nerve, as well as systemic biomarkers in blood serum/plasma into four categories, namely, extracellular matrix (ECM), cell signaling molecules, aging/stress, and immunity-related changes. We present a theoretical model to show signaling pathways of the ECM, cell signaling, and innate immune response through activation of Toll-4 receptor and monocyte activation which may impact the success of glaucoma surgery. The innate immune system is driven by the danger signal, the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, and the activation of monocytes which collectively may be useful in predicting surgical success in POAG.
Exploring relationships in gene expressions: a partial least squares approach.

Abstract Microarray technology has revolutionized the way gene functions are monitored. Analysis of microarray data is a fast growing research area that interfaces various disciplines such as biology, biochemistry, computer science, and statistics. While various clustering and classification techniques have been successfully employed to group genes based on the similarity of their expression patterns, much is yet to be learned about the interrelationship of the expression levels among various genes. We approach this problem with a statistical technique called partial least squares that is capable of modeling a large number of variables each with relatively few observations. This property of the partial least squares methodology appears to be attractive for application to microarray data sets where the simultaneous expression levels of many genes are collected each at a few time points (or individuals). We use it to analyze publicly available microarray data on sporulation of budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). We investigate a number of representative genes, one from each temporal group (based on the time of first induction) of positively expressed genes and show that in each case most of the variability was explained by only two partial regression terms based on all remaining genes. Moreover, the predicted expression levels of the representative genes from partial least squares fit very well on the average with the true expression levels over time. Finally, we compare the biological functions of the genes with largest coefficients with those of the predicted genes. In many cases, the genes are involved in similar or related biological functions including negative relationships. We show that this method can identify established gene relationships; we argue that it can be an exploratory tool for identifying potential gene relationships requiring further biological investigation.
Method for cloning restriction fragments containing the termini of BAC inserts.

We have developed a method to isolate the termini of BAC clones. The method is based on the two unique NotI sites located approximately 300 bp on either side of the EcoRI cloning site of the BAC ve...
RGS10 regulates the expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha through a G-protein-independent mechanism

The small regulator of G protein signaling protein RGS10 is a key regulator of neuroinflammation and ovarian cancer cell survival; however, the mechanism for RGS10 function in these cells is unknown and has not been linked to specific G protein pathways. RGS10 is highly enriched in microglia, and loss of RGS10 expression in microglia amplifies production of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and enhances microglia-induced neurotoxicity. RGS10 also regulates cell survival and chemoresistance of ovarian cancer cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated production of prostaglandins such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a key factor in both neuroinflammation and cancer chemoresistance, suggesting it may be involved in RGS10 function in both cell types, but a connection between RGS10 and COX-2 has not been reported. To address these questions, we completed a mechanistic study to characterize RGS10 regulation of TNFα and COX-2 and to determine if these effects are mediated through a G protein-dependent mechanism. Our data show for the first time that loss of RGS10 expression significantly elevates stimulated COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in microglia. Furthermore, the elevated inflammatory signaling resulting from RGS10 loss was not affected by Gαi inhibition, and a RGS10 mutant that is unable to bind activated G proteins was as effective as wild type in inhibiting TNFα expression. Similarly, suppression of RGS10 in ovarian cancer cells enhanced TNFα and COX-2 expression, and this effect did not require Gi activity. Together, our data strongly indicate that RGS10 inhibits COX-2 expression by a G protein-independent mechanism to regulate inflammatory signaling in microglia and ovarian cancer cells.
A Multimodal-Sensor-Enabled Room for Unobtrusive Group Meeting Analysis

Group meetings can suffer from serious problems that undermine performance, including bias, "groupthink", fear of speaking, and unfocused discussion. To better understand these issues, propose interventions, and thus improve team performance, we need to study human dynamics in group meetings. However, this process currently heavily depends on manual coding and video cameras. Manual coding is tedious, inaccurate, and subjective, while active video cameras can affect the natural behavior of meeting participants. Here, we present a smart meeting room that combines microphones and unobtrusive ceiling-mounted Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors to understand group dynamics in team meetings. We automatically process the multimodal sensor outputs with signal, image, and natural language processing algorithms to estimate participant head pose, visual focus of attention (VFOA), non-verbal speech patterns, and discussion content. We derive metrics from these automatic estimates and correlate them with user-reported rankings of emergent group leaders and major contributors to produce accurate predictors. We validate our algorithms and report results on a new dataset of lunar survival tasks of 36 individuals across 10 groups collected in the multimodal-sensor-enabled smart room.
American Society for Clinical Pathology First Time Pass Rate: A Comparison between Clinical Laboratory Science Traditional (Face-to-Face) Program versus Distance (Online) Program

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions, in 2007, sought to increase enrollment in the Clinical Laboratory Science program by developing an online Clinical Laboratory Science program for those individuals who held earned Bachelor’s degrees in a science field (biology, chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, etc.). Since 2010, the program received approximately 125 applications and accepted an average of 41 students annually. The last admissions cycle experienced its largest numbers to date, 389 applicants with 80 accepted. Participants in this presentation will be able to compare the pass rate for the different learning platforms. Data was collected using American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) first time pass rates for both the traditional (face-to-face) program and the distance (online) program starting the class of 2010, the first distance (online) cohort. The purpose of this study was to compare the success of both programs utilizing the Board of Certification (BOC) first time pass-rate. It was determined that the average overall pass-rates were 93% for the online cohort and 91% for the traditional cohort. Based on these findings, the distance (online) program appeared just as successful as their traditional (face-to-face) student counterparts.
Physical Activity Trend eXtraction: A Framework for Extracting Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity Trends From Wearable Fitness Tracker Data.

Author(s): Faust, Louis; Wang, Cheng; Hachen, David; Lizardo, Omar; Chawla, Nitesh V | Abstract: BackgroundModerate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) offers extensive health benefits but is neglected by many. As a result, a wide body of research investigating physical activity behavior change has been conducted. As many of these studies transition from paper-based methods of MVPA data collection to fitness trackers, a series of challenges arise in extracting insights from these new data.ObjectiveThe objective of this research was to develop a framework for preprocessing and extracting MVPA trends from wearable fitness tracker data to support MVPA behavior change studies.MethodsUsing heart rate data collected from fitness trackers, we propose Physical Activity Trend eXtraction (PATX), a framework that imputes missing data, recalculates personalized target heart zones, and extracts MVPA trends. We tested our framework on a dataset of 123 college study participants observed across 2 academic years (18 months) using Fitbit Charge HRs. To demonstrate the value of our frameworks' output in supporting MVPA behavior change studies, we applied it to 2 case studies.ResultsAmong the 123 participants analyzed, PATX labeled 41 participants as experiencing a significant increase in MVPA and 44 participants who experienced a significant decrease in MVPA, with significance defined as Pl.05. Our first case study was consistent with previous works investigating the associations between MVPA and mental health. Whereas the second, exploring how individuals perceive their own levels of MVPA relative to their friends, led to a novel observation that individuals were less likely to notice changes in their own MVPA when close ties in their social network mimicked their changes.ConclusionsBy providing meaningful and flexible outputs, PATX alleviates data concerns common with fitness trackers to support MVPA behavior change studies as they shift to more objective assessments of MVPA.
A Non-Interior Predictor-Corrector Path-Following Method for LCP

In a previous work the authors introduced a non—interior predictor-corrector path following algorithm for the monotone linear complementarity problem. The method uses Chen—Harker—Kanzow—Smale smoothing techniques to track the central path and employs a refined notion for the neighborhood of the central path to obtain the boundedness of the iterates under the assumption of monotonicity and the existence of a feasible interior point. With these assumptions, the method is shown to be both globally linearly convergent and locally quadratically convergent. In this paper it is shown that this basic approach is still valid without the monotonicity assumption and regardless of the choice of norm in the definition of the neighborhood of the central path. Furthermore, it is shown that the method can be modified so that only one system of linear equations needs to be solved at each iteration without sacrificing either the global or local convergence behavior of the method. The local behavior of the method is further illuminated by showing that the solution set always lies in the interior of the neighborhood of the central path relative to the affine constraint. In this regard, the method is fundamentally different from interior point strategies where the solution set necessarily lies on the boundary of the neighborhood of the central path relative to the affine constraint. Finally, we show that the algorithm is globally convergent under a relatively mild condition.
E-021 In vitro neurovascular model development for liquid embolic implant simulation

Introduction Although current microcatheter technologies have advanced in recent years, corresponding endovascular devices still lag behind. Animal models are unable to replicate consistent large and wide neck bifurcation aneurysms with sufficient neurovascular feeder vessels. Testing methods must accurately model vessel tortuosity and flow patterns. Models must detect downstream migration of neurovascular embolic devices. This paper focuses on the development and utilization of an in vitro flow model to test short- and long-term stability of a novel polymer biomaterial (PPODA-QT) for aneurysm occlusion. Materials and methods This research project includes development of innovative in vitro aneurysm vessel model with complex side branching. This project will bring together clinical, biological, and engineering expertise. A full Circle of Willis (CW) in vitro vessel model will be fabricated into vessel analogs. This model will be constructed using a PolyJet® (UV cured) 3D printing process. UV curing creates a model with accurate anatomy and tortuosity. Typical aneurysm positions, verified by our collaborating neuro-interventional surgeon, will be 3D-printed at the basilar bifurcation, the posterior communicating (PCA) branch, and at the anterior communicating (ACA) bifurcation. Flow is regulated through the use of a Super Pump AR (ViVitro Labs). This 3D printed model will be implemented in an in vitro flow model that enables systemic data collection. A data acquisition system (DAQ) integrated with LabVIEW® software will record real time particulation images, pressure drops across the model, and flowrates through each inlet and outlet of the model. Results and discussion The in vitro model is used to simulate and quantify short-and long-term viability of new biomaterials for brain aneurysm embolization. Delivery and balloon microcatheters access the aneurysm model from the introducer at the inlet flow-stream. Inline holography imaging quantifies the number and size of particulate in accordance with (USP) XXV ). The PolyJet® 3D printed model has a luminal friction 5x lower than the standard silicone vessel models. Low luminal friction improves endovascular device tracking, providing a realistic feel for surgical simulation. Conclusions This in vitro aneurysm flow model utilizes a UV cured 3D printing technique to emulate device delivery and wear. This model provides a realistic simulation of neurovascular device delivery. Additionally, development of new biomaterials for aneurysm treatment requires models capable of replicating tortuosity and friction characteristics. Traditional additives (used to reduce wall friction) can interfere with deployment and assessment of embolics. Disclosures C. Settanni: None. T. Becker: 1; C; Brain Aneurysm Foundation. 4; C; Aneuvas Technologies Inc. 5; C; Aneuvas Technologies Inc., Northern Arizona University. A. Ducruet: 1; C; Brain Aneurysm Foundation. 5; C; Barrow Neurological Institute, Northern Arizona University. W. Merritt:None. A. Huckleberry: 5; C; Flagstaff Medical Center.