cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discrete Laplace-Beltrami Operator Determines Discrete Riemannian Metric

The Laplace-Beltrami operator of a smooth Riemannian manifold is determined by the Riemannian metric. Conversely, the heat kernel constructed from its eigenvalues and eigenfunctions determines the Riemannian metric. This work proves the analogy on Euclidean polyhedral surfaces (triangle meshes), that the discrete Laplace-Beltrami operator and the discrete Riemannian metric (unique up to a scaling) are mutually determined by each other. Given an Euclidean polyhedral surface, its Riemannian metric is represented as edge lengths, satisfying triangle inequalities on all faces. The Laplace-Beltrami operator is formulated using the cotangent formula, where the edge weight is defined as the sum of the cotangent of angles against the edge. We prove that the edge lengths can be determined by the edge weights unique up to a scaling using the variational approach. First, we show that the space of all possible metrics of a polyhedral surface is convex. Then, we construct a special energy defined on the metric space, such that the gradient of the energy equals to the edge weights. Third, we show the Hessian matrix of the energy is positive definite, restricted on the tangent space of the metric space, therefore the energy is convex. Finally, by the fact that the parameter on a convex domain and the gradient of a convex function defined on the domain have one-to-one correspondence, we show the edge weights determines the polyhedral metric unique up to a scaling. The constructive proof leads to a computational algorithm that finds the unique metric on a topological triangle mesh from a discrete Laplace-Beltrami operator matrix.
Write Right—or Left A Practical Approach to Handwriting

Although legible and rapid handwriting is a necessary skill for success in school and adult life, recent research in this area is meager. This paper proposes a simplified handwriting method for children who have difficulty in learning conventional cursive writing patterns. Designed to meet learning disabled children's needs for task analysis, overlearning, monitoring, and verbal cues, this method is based on the vertical downstroke, rather than the diagonal slant necessary to most cursive writing. Building on the motor patterns of manuscript letters usually taught in the early years, this method adds connecting strokes that permit faster writing than is possible with the separated letters of print. By emphasizing the vertical downstroke and the natural connections between manuscript letters, this writing method combines the simplicity of manuscript with the speed of cursive writing.
Response of maize (Zea mays) inbreds and hybrids to rimsulfuron

Abstract: Extensive glasshouse studies characterized the varietal response to rimsulfuron of 37 inbreds of maize (Zea mays L.), representing the major inbred families used in hybrid seed production, and 20 defined hybrids from these inbreds. Tolerant hybrids were produced when one or both of its parents were tolerant. Sensitive hybrids occurred only when both parents were sensitive. Genetic analysis indicated that sensitivity is controlled by a single recessive gene. Dose-response analysis showed varieties could vary more than 40000-fold in sensitivity. Only the AHAS-modified variety with the XA-17 gene had changed enzyme sensitivity. This gene provided crop tolerance to very high rates of rimsulfuron and its interaction with an organophosphate insecticide. Breeders can eliminate varietal sensitivity in three ways: always use at least one tolerant hybrid parent, backcross sensitive inbreds with tolerant, or use an AHAS-modified gene.
Designing a Unique Educational Program to Meet the Needs of the Customer - A Case History

The graduate management program described in this paper was designed with two important marketing principles in mind. It is therefore a case history of the appll·-cation of marketing in a non-traditional area. One principle is the marketing concept inasmuch as this program was designed to meet the needs of the customer without concern for the usual institutional constraints. The second principle is market segmentation as this program was designed to meet the needs of, and therefore appeal to, a clearly identifiable market segment. These rudimentary marketing principles are rarely practiced by educational institutions.
EFFECTS OF SUXAMETHONIUM ON THE CEREBRUM FOLLOWING DISRUPTION OF THE BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER IN DOGS

We have studied the effects of suxamethonium 1.0 mg kg−1 i.v. on cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic rate (CMRO2), and the electroencephalogram (EEG) in dogs anaesthetized with halothane (1.0 MAC) following blood—brain barrier (BBB) disruption with intra-carotid (i.e.) mannitol. The combination produced a transient increase in CBF, while CMRo2 did not change. These responses were similar to those produced by i.e. mannitol plus i.v. saline. Suxamethonium produced desynchronization of the EEG that persisted longer than that produced by saline. In only one of the six animals was the desynchronization sustained (90 min) beyond that found in dogs with a normal BBB. We conclude that disruption of the BBB did not enhance the cerebral stimulating effects of i.v. suxamethonium, and did not increase the likelihood of seizure activity following suxamethonium.
Basis set quantum chemistry and quantum Monte Carlo: Selected atomic and molecular results

We present results for the total energy, the first ionization potential, and the electron affinity of the Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Mg, Si, Ca, Fe, and Ge atoms using the coupled-cluster method with several standard basis sets, including correlation consistent, polarized, and atomic natural orbital bases. We also consider multiplet splittings in Fe and the activation barriers of the reactions, H3 H2 + H and FH2 F + H2. These readily generated results are provided for comparison with Quantum Monte Carlo values. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Strong equilibria of a repeated game with randomized strategies

Abstract A version of Aumann's (1976) model of a repeated game with randomized strategies is studied. The pure strategy set of each player is assumed to be a compact metric spacnd complexities due to the information structures are explicitly handled. It is shown that one can extend Aumann's argument to this setup and still prove the Aumann Proposition on equivalence of the β-core of a one-shot game with correlated strategies and the strong equilibrium utility allocations of the associated repeated game with randomized strategies. To this extended version of the Aumann Proposition, the author's theorem for nonemptiness of the β-core with correlated strategies is applicable, so this version is non-vacuous.
Improving Productivity on a Troubled Bridge Project

This paper presents a case study of a bridge constructed under adverse conditions in rural Florida. The major challenges facing the contractor were clearly identified through analysis. The bridge was constructed by an established, experienced bridge contractor that faced many daunting challenges in the construction of the bridge foundation, ranging from overdesign to the project manager managing his first construction project. However, the biggest challenge was unforeseen site conditions; namely, some of the most difficult clay imaginable through which to drive piles. These challenges forced the contractor into several tactical maneuvers. In sharing both the methods adapted by the contractor and the results of the adaptations, this paper quantifies for researchers and practitioners how a good contractor made sound, fundamental decisions to overcome severe challenges, improve productivity rates midproject, and eventually make the project a success. A seeming disaster early on, the project was eventually co...
Iterative decoding and equalization for 2-D recording channels

Summary form only given. As conventional magnetic recording challenges physical limits, we are motivated to consider 2-dimensional (2-D) data storage techniques. Further motivation is provided by the fact that data in 2-D recording may be arranged in bigger sectors than in 1-D and error correcting codes (ECC) such as low density parity check codes (LDPCC) get arbitrarily close to capacity for large enough block lengths. In this paper we consider the use of LDPCC as an ECC in conjunction with equalization methods, iterative and otherwise, for a 2-D recording medium with 2-D ISI. Equalization methods for 2-D recording are discussed as is iterative detection.
Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of patients in whom congestive heart failure develops after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction: Development of a predictive model

Ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of congestive heart failure, which often begins after acute myocardial infarction. To better delineate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients in whom congestive heart failure develops after acute myocardial infarction in the thrombolytic era, we prospectively evaluated patients enrolled in six of the TAMI trials. The study cohort comprised 1619 consecutive patients who had at least 1 mm of ST-segment elevation in two contiguous electrocardiographic leads within 6 hours of the onset of acute myocardial infarction and who received intravenous thrombolytic therapy. We prospectively collected clinical characteristics, baseline demographics, acute and 1-week angiographic variables, and in-hospital and 1-year outcome data. We performed stepwise multivariable regression analysis to determine the noninvasive and invasive predictors of the development of in-hospital congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure developed in 301 patients in the hospital (19% of 1521 patients admitted were not in heart failure). These patients were likely to be older and female, have diabetes mellitus and previous myocardial infarction, and have an anterior wall myocardial infarction. On acute angiography, they had lower ejection fractions and a higher incidence of multivessel disease. Patency at 90 minutes was lower in the patients with congestive heart failure, and acute mitral regurgitation occurred in 1.6% versus 0.21% of patients without congestive heart failure. Patients with congestive heart failure had higher mortality, more in-hospital complications, and longer hospitalizations. At 1-year follow up, 21% of the patients in whom congestive heart failure developed had died versus 5% in the group without congestive heart failure. Predictors of new congestive heart failure included increased age, anterior wall myocardial infarction, lower pulse pressure and systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and the presence of rales on admission. The acute angiographic variables of reduced ejection fraction, increased number of diseased vessels, and attempted percutaneous intervention improved the concordance of the predictive model by 6%. Congestive heart failure remains a common clinical problem after acute myocardial infarction and is associated with a twofold increase in in-hospital morbidity and a fourfold increase in in-hospital and 1-year mortality. The development of congestive heart failure in the hospital can be predicted from noninvasive and invasive baseline characteristics. We present a simple table to predict congestive heart failure from baseline characteristics and invasive information.
Cell Permeable Bcl-2 Binding Peptides: A Chemical Approach to Apoptosis Induction in Tumor Cells

Bcl-2 is a potent suppressor of apoptosis, and its overexpression contributes to tumorigenesis in many types of human cancers. To test the possibility of modulating Bcl-2 function as an anticancer strategy, a cell permeable Bcl-2 binding peptide, cell permeable moiety (cpm)-1285, was designed by chemically attaching a fatty acid to a peptide derived from the proapoptotic protein Bad. cpm-1285 entered HL-60 tumor cells, bound Bcl-2 protein, and induced apoptosis in vitro. In contrast, cpm-1285 had little effect on normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Furthermore, cpm-1285 had in vivo activity in slowing human myeloid leukemia growth in severe combined immunodeficient mice. These results demonstrate a novel approach for therapeutic intervention of tumor growth in vivo with small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2.
Numerical and experimental investigation of mixed-mode fracture parameters on silicon nitride using the Brazilian disc test

Engineering applications of ceramics can often involve mixed-mode conditions involving both tensile and shear loading. Mixed-mode fracture toughness parameters are evaluated for applicability to ceramics using the Brazilian disc test on silicon nitride. Semi-elliptical centrally located surface flaws are induced on the disc specimens using Vickers indentation and compression loaded to fracture with varying levels of mode mixity. The disc specimens are modelled via 3D finite element analysis and all three modes of stress intensity factors computed along the crack front, at failure load. We present a numerical and experimental investigation of four widely used mixed-mode fracture criteria and conclude that the critical strain energy release rate criterion is simple to implement and effective for silicon nitride under mixed-mode conditions.
Angiogenesis, protein and gene delivery.

Advances in our understanding of angiogenesis and blood vessel growth have given rise to efforts to develop novel therapeutic approaches for patients with ischaemia who are not adequately treated with presently available therapies. Among the growth factors that play a role in blood vessel growth and development, vascular endothelial growth factors and fibroblast growth factors have been the most extensively studied. Various methods of delivery have been utilized to enhance localization and persistence, including methods for delivery of proteins as well as gene transfer techniques. Initial clinical trials have now been undertaken. Preliminary information on efficacy is beginning to become available, raising hopes, as well as questions about the future direction and potential success of therapeutic angiogenesis as a clinical approach to the treatment of ischaemia. In spite of significant advances in the treatment of coronary artery disease, a substantial number of patients remain inadequately treated with anti-anginal medications or with coronary revascularization thereby prompting great interest in alternative therapeutic approaches. One approach utilizes the knowledge that the collateral circulation can play an important role in patients with coronary artery disease. Advances in our understanding of the process of angiogenesis, and the recognition that collateral formation can be altered by growth factors have given rise to the concept of therapeutic angiogenesis. This refers to the therapeutic administration of agents such as growth factors or cytokines to enhance collateral development and reduce vascular insufficiency. Demonstrated efficacy in animal studies then led to initial human clinical trials of therapeutic angiogenesis using both protein delivery and gene transfer therapy. Clinical trials are currently being designed and performed, and the future of therapeutic angiogenesis is just beginning to unfold. The importance of collateral vessels has long been recognized and is often evident in the clinical practice of cardiology. For example, one patient with an occluded left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and inadequate collaterals might present with an acute myocardial infarction and severe left ventricular dysfunction, while another patient, who also has an occluded LAD, but in whom the only evident difference
Split phrases in colloquial Russian

. This paper examines split phrases in Colloquial Russian, including split noun phrases and split prepositional phrases. The aims of the paper are two-fold: (a) to identify the bounds of the word order freedom in Colloquial Russian, and (b) to develop a theory of splitting. It is argued that the splitting is derived not by moving one part of the split phrase away from another part, but by movement and copying of the whole split phrase and partial interpretation of the copies thus produced at the PF interface (that is, partial pronunciation of copies). The analysis developed in this paper crucially relies on the notion that Topic/Focus are interpretable features which need not trigger movement.
Automatic web page classification in a dynamic and hierarchical way

Automatic classification of web pages is an effective way to deal with the difficulty of retrieving information from the Internet. Although there are many automatic classification algorithms and systems that have been proposed, most of them ignore the conflict between the fixed number of categories and the growing number of web pages going into the system. They also require searching through all existing categories to make any classification. We propose a dynamic and hierarchical classification system that is capable of adding new categories as required, organizing the web pages into a tree structure, and classifying web pages by searching through only one path of the tree structure. Our test results show that our proposed single-path search technique reduces the search complexity and increases the accuracy by 6% comparing to related algorithms. Our dynamic-category expansion technique also achieves satisfying results on adding new categories into our system as required.
Best-effort semantic document search on GPUs

Semantic indexing is a popular technique used to access and organize large amounts of unstructured text data. We describe an optimized implementation of semantic indexing and document search on manycore GPU platforms. We observed that a parallel implementation of semantic indexing on a 128-core Tesla C870 GPU is only 2.4X faster than a sequential implementation on an Intel Xeon 2.4GHz processor. We ascribe the less than spectacular speedup to a mismatch in the workload characteristics of semantic indexing and the unique architectural features of GPUs. Compared to the regular numerical computations that have been ported to GPUs with great success, our semantic indexing algorithm (the recently proposed Supervised Semantic Indexing algorithm called SSI) has interesting characteristics -- the amount of parallelism in each training instance is data-dependent, and each iteration involves the product of a dense matrix with a sparse vector, resulting in random memory access patterns. As a result, we observed that the baseline GPU implementation significantly under-utilizes the hardware resources (processing elements and memory bandwidth) of the GPU platform. However, the SSI algorithm also demonstrates unique characteristics, which we collectively refer to as the "forgiving nature" of the algorithm. These unique characteristics allow for novel optimizations that do not strive to preserve numerical equivalence of each training iteration with the sequential implementation. In particular, we consider best-effort computing techniques, such as dependency relaxation and computation dropping, to suitably alter the workload characteristics of SSI to leverage the unique architectural features of the GPU. We also show that the realization of dependency relaxation and computation dropping concepts on a GPU is quite different from how one would implement these concepts on a multicore CPU, largely due to the distinct architectural features supported by a GPU. Our new techniques dramatically enhance the amount of parallel workload, leading to much higher performance on the GPU. By optimizing data transfers between CPU and GPU, and by reducing GPU kernel invocation overheads, we achieve further performance gains. We evaluated our new GPU-accelerated implementation of semantic document search on a database of over 1.8 million documents from Wikipedia. By applying our novel performance-enhancing strategies, our GPU implementation on a 128-core Tesla C870 achieved a 5.5X acceleration as compared to a baseline parallel implementation on the same GPU. Compared to a baseline parallel TBB implementation on a dual-socket quad-core Intel Xeon multicore CPU (8-cores), the enhanced GPU implementation is 11X faster. Compared to a parallel implementation on the same multi-core CPU that also uses data dependency relaxation and dropping computation techniques, our enhanced GPU implementation is 5X faster.
Direct recovering of Nth order surface structure using UOFF approach

Based on the UOFF (unified optical flow field), a direct method is being developed to reconstruct the curved surface structure characterized by an N-degree polynomial equation. The theoretical framework of the new approach is reported in a much more complete and mature fashion than before. Earlier limitations have been eliminated. The recovery of an unbounded third-order alpha -shaped surface is reported. Some numerical considerations and error analysis are also included. Compared with the existing direction techniques that can only recover the first order surface, the present approach represents significant progress. >
Understanding kuru: the contribution of anthropology and medicine

To understand kuru and solve the problems of its cause and transmission required the integration of knowledge from both anthropological and medical research. Anthropological studies elucidated the origin and spread of kuru, the local mortuary practices of endocannibalism, the social effects of kuru, the life of women and child-rearing practices, the kinship system of the Fore and their willingness to incorporate outsiders into it, the myths, folklore and history of the Fore and their neighbours, sorcery as a powerful social phenomenon and way of explaining the causation of disease, and concepts of the treatment of disease. Many scientists from different disciplines, government officers and others have contributed to this chapter of medical history but it is the Fore people who have contributed the most, through their suffering, their cooperative and reliable witness to kuru, and their participation, in various ways, in the research process itself.
Population Status and Nesting Biology of the Rare Barrens Darter, Etheostoma forbesi

Abstract The Barrens darter Etheostoma (Catonotus) forbesi (Teleostei: Percidae) is a rare stream fish endemic to the upper Caney Fork River system in the Barrens Plateau region of middle Tennessee. We studied the darter's population characteristics and selected aspects of its nesting biology at 10 sites surveyed during April 2004. In our survey, we caught a total of 75 Barrens darters at a rate of 21 individuals per hour of backpack-electrofishing effort. At least one male Barrens darter was present at six of the 10 sites. Females outnumbered males by a ratio of 1.4 to 1. Total lengths ranged 44–97 mm, averaging 62 mm for females and 78 mm for males. The number of Barrens darters seen in the present survey was similar to a 1994 survey. However, both surveys reveal a species in need of conservation, with low abundance at most known sites within its limited geographic range. We found 20 Barrens darter nests located on the flat undersides of cobbles with a mean length, width and thickness of 17 × 13 × 5 cm....
Effect of Bt Corn for Corn Rootworm Control on Nontarget Soil Microarthropods and Nematodes

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of corn in Kansas. Planting Bt corn hybrids resistant to this pest is being tested as a method to control the larval stage of corn rootworms. These hybrids express Cry3Bb1 toxin and are expected to only directly impact chrysomelids and possibly related taxa. Soil samples were examined to evaluate the effect of Bt corn for corn rootworm control on soil microarthropods and nematodes in Kansas in 2000 and 2001. Soil samples from soil close to Bt corn and to its isoline were taken on three occasions (early, mid, and late season) from eight locations in 2000 and three locations in 2001. Soil mites and Collembola were extracted using a modified Tullgren high-gradient extractor. Nematodes were extracted using a centrifugal-flotation procedure. In general, numbers of soil mites (Prostigmata, Mesostigmata, and Oribatei), Collembola, and nematodes were similar in soil planted with Bt corn and soil planted with its isoline.
The Sorting Hat Goes to College

We describe the solution to a combinatorial optimization problem that arises in higher education: the assignment of first-year students to introductory seminars. We trace the evolution of our imple...
Estimation of Acoustic Attenuation Coefficient by Using Maximum Entropy Method

The acoustic attenuation coefficient of soft tissue has been observed to increase as an approximately linear function of frequency. The amount of center frequency shift is related to the severity of some diseases. In diagnostic ultrasound experiments, the conventional periodogram approach cannot be applied directly to estimate small spectral changes due to its inherent performance limitations. We applied the Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) to estimate the spectrum of computer simulated echo signals with multiplicative random noise. It is observed that simple 2nd order MEM gives a weighted mean frequency value of spectral distribution. Using this, a more accurate center frequency estimation than the periodogram approach can be obtained. The MEM also can reduce data length and number of independent data segments, thereby reducing the size of the resolution cell as well as the number of experiments. In the case of a small object, this small resolution cell can avoid spectral smearing by the spectrum of adjacent tissue.
The Cynical Public: Claims about Science in the Discourse on Hydrofracking

This content analysis of newspaper articles and online social media from English-speaking sources on the topic of ‘fracking’ interrogates the use of scientific legitimacy in claims-makings and how ...
Improving Teaching through Collaborative Reflective Teaching Cycles

Reflection and collaboration are two activities teachers can use to change and improve their practice. However, finding the time and space to do so can be challenging. The collaborative reflective ...
Oral History in the History of Medicine

Within a single life-span, and a short one at that, Americans have witnessed a radical transformation in the medical resources available to them. Only fifty years ago, the most reliable weapons in the medical armamentarium were still preventive rather than curative. The medicine cabinet then held a few impressive drugs, such as insulin for diabetes and digitalis for heart disease, but it contained no "magic bullets" able to cure the most common infectious diseases. Even a brief listing of recent advances reveals how profoundly medical capabilities have expanded since 1940: penicillin and other antibiotics, organ transplants, in vitro fertilization, and now the experimental use of genetically altered cells to fight cancer. Inspired by such spectacular feats, as well as by countless less dramatic ones, Americans have since 1950 devoted an increasing amount of personal and public income to medical research and health care services. The United States today spends more than 10 percent of its gross national product on health care, and its research and clinical facilities are unquestionably the best in the world.' Yet the most superficial glance at the newspaper or the television today reveals that all is not well in the world of modern medicine. Since the 1960s, patients have become increasingly belligerent, nurses have repeatedly gone on strike, malpractice suits have skyrocketed, and a series of conservative presidents have ended unlimited federal support for medical research and hospital construction. Admissions to medical schools have fallen off, and many older physicians loudly announce that if they had it to do over again, they would never become physicians. The razzle-dazzle of high-tech medicine is often used to save patients from preventable cancers and heart disease. Likewise, the shockingly high infant mortality rates in the inner city and the devastation wreaked by the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic have made painfully clear the limits of medical science and technology. In sum, medicine's expanded technical prowess has not protected it against political and social problems arising from the unequal distribution of health care and from new and continuing threats to public health. The recent history of medicine
Aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity

Aspirin (ASA) use for secondary prevention in patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease is well established through its beneficial effects on the reduction of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and CV mortality. This beneficial effect of ASA seems to consistently outweigh the risk in most patient subsets. Current guidelines endorse ASA for primary prevention of CV events in adults who are at moderate-high risk of CV morbidity. Recent emerging data on the efficacy and safety of ASA conflicts with former randomized clinical trials and raises concerns regarding the validity of these recommendations. The following manuscript describes the data emerging from contemporary trials regarding the efficacy and safety of ASA in various patient subsets. The authors propose certain strategies to enhance safety and efficacy in order to augment the beneficial effects of ASA along with other modalities of primary prevention for suitable candidates. When contemplating ASA prescription for primary prevention of CV events, physicians should carefully weigh the potential benefits of risk reduction versus likelihood of harm, mostly related to bleeding complications.
Inadvertent Reduction of Symphyseal Diastasis During Computed Tomography.

OBJECTIVE To determine the quantifiable difference in pubic symphysis diastasis when comparing computed tomography (CT) and pelvic radiographs in individuals with anterior pelvic ring injuries. DESIGN Retrospective chart and radiographic review. SETTING Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Between 2002 and 2013, all individuals requiring internal fixation of the anterior pelvic ring were reviewed. Of the 163 patients, 72 met the inclusion criteria. Patients with a symphysis dislocation were included if the pelvic radiograph and CT were performed without a pelvic binder, and imaging was adequate for required measurements. INTERVENTION Symphyseal diastasis was measured on the initial pelvic radiograph, the CT scout, and axial views. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Comparison of measured symphyseal diastasis on CT and pelvic radiographs. RESULTS Seventy-two patients met the inclusion criteria. Ninety-seven percent (70/72) had a reduction of their symphysis diastasis in the CT with an average reduction of 6.6 mm (Range, -2.6 to 35.5 mm). The average diastasis on radiograph was 26.3 mm compared with 19.7 mm on CT scout (P < 0.001). Fourteen patients (19.2%) had a reduction from greater than 25 mm to less than 25 mm-a traditional cutoff for operative intervention. CONCLUSIONS The anteroposterior pelvis radiograph remains an important part of the workup for trauma patients. Reliance on CT alone may underestimate the true degree of pelvic displacement. Failure to obtain pelvic radiographs in the acute setting limits the information in which the medical team can base both immediate and definitive decisions about pelvic ring injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Early Whole Blood Transcriptional Signatures Are Associated with Severity of Lung Inflammation in Cynomolgus Macaques with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

Whole blood transcriptional profiling offers great diagnostic and prognostic potential. Although studies identified signatures for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and transcripts that predict the risk for developing active TB in humans, the early transcriptional changes immediately following Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection have not been evaluated. We evaluated the gene expression changes in the cynomolgus macaque model of TB, which recapitulates all clinical aspects of human M. tuberculosis infection, using a human microarray and analytics platform. We performed genome-wide blood transcriptional analysis on 38 macaques at 11 postinfection time points during the first 6 mo of M. tuberculosis infection. Of 6371 differentially expressed transcripts between preinfection and postinfection, the greatest change in transcriptional activity occurred 20-56 d postinfection, during which fluctuation of innate and adaptive immune response-related transcripts was observed. Modest transcriptional differences between active TB and latent infection were observed over the time course with substantial overlap. The pattern of module activity previously published for human active TB was similar in macaques with active disease. Blood transcript activity was highly correlated with lung inflammation (lung [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose [FDG] avidity) measured by positron emission tomography and computed tomography at early time points postinfection. The differential signatures between animals with high and low lung FDG were stronger than between clinical outcomes. Analysis of preinfection signatures of macaques revealed that IFN signatures could influence eventual clinical outcomes and lung FDG avidity, even before infection. Our data support that transcriptional changes in the macaque model are translatable to human M. tuberculosis infection and offer important insights into early events of M. tuberculosis infection.
Sheridan’s Supercrip: Daniel Day-Lewis and the Wonder of My Left Foot (1989)

Tiffany Gilbert’s essay, “Sheridan’s Supercrip: Daniel Day-Lewis and the Wonder of My Left Foot (1989)” employs scholarship from film and disability studies to examine the paradox and spectacle of able-bodied actors performing individuals with disabilities and other physical limitations. Under Sheridan’s direction, Day-Lewis transforms into a cinematic “supercrip.” Elevating the spectacle of Day-Lewis’ contorted, method-schooled acting over the autobiography on which the film is based, she argues, Sheridan skims over Brown’s rise to prominence as a national writer and artist; the film virtually eliminates the existence of Brown’s “public” life to accommodate Day-Lewis’ performance, one that colonizes and fetishizes Brown’s body to represent a petulant, solipsistic stereotype.
Finding Solutions to Potential Health and Environmental Problems Associated with Coal Liquefaction Materials

Abstract Chemically complex materials produced by different coal liquefaction processes and under various stages of process design and operating conditions have been screened for potential health and environmental effects. Biologically active components of these materials have been identified, and the environmental fate of problematic agents is currently being determined. Coal-derived liquids are generally more active than shale oil and petroleum crudes in biological test systems. Biologically active agents include primary aromatic amines, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols and others. However, both synergistic and antagonistic interactions occur among constituents of chemically complex mixtures. Hydrotreating, a refining or upgrading process, selective distillation, other process conditions and environmental factors also influence chemical characteristics and biological activity of coal-derived materials. Eliminating toxic input of coal liquids to ecological test systems results in partial system recovery. The growing health and environmental data-base has provided input for assessment, and has been used by developers to design occupational health and industrial hygiene programs and to select process modifications and product slates that minimize risk to man and the environment. The data may also aid selection of control technologies, mitigative strategies, special handling and accident prevention procedures or spill-cleanup options to enhance the environmental acceptability of a coal liquefaction industry.
Red state, blue state, green state: analysing the geography of federal environmental crime prosecutions within and across the U.S. states

While green criminologists note that environmental crimes are taken less seriously than street crimes by law enforcement and the criminal justice system, the diffuse structure of the environmental regulatory regime in the United States and lack of governmental databases makes empirical assessment of environmental crimes and enforcement efforts particularly difficult. This article builds on a need in the green criminological literature to empirically assess the distribution and prosecution of environmental crimes in the United States, by focusing on the underserved area of the U.S. states. Using content analysis of 972 federal environmental crime prosecutions 2001–2011, this article explores the nature and geography of these crimes and subsequent prosecutions within and across the U.S. states. Our findings show a wide distribution of crimes and prosecutions occurring across the states, with Clean Air and Clean Water violations being particularly prevalent. We also find a weak trend between prosecutions and both the amount of pollution and number of environmental groups per state, but the small number of cases and limitations of the data make drawing firm conclusions difficult. These findings show an increased need to build databases to understand the prevalence of environmental crimes and the prosecution of those offenses in the U.S. states.
Comparison of Diets of Two Fire Ant Species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Solid and Liquid Components

Diets of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, and the native fire ant, Solenopsis geminata [F.], were studied in adjacent field colonies in south central Texas. A comparison of soli...
Sorafenib Dose Recommendation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Based on Exposure-FLT3 Relationship.

Sorafenib administered at the approved dose continuously is not tolerated long-term in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The purpose of this study was to optimize the dosing regimen by characterizing the sorafenib exposure-response relationship in patients with AML. A one-compartment model with a transit absorption compartment and enterohepatic recirculation described the exposure. The relationship between sorafenib exposure and target modulation of kinase targets (FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-ITD and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)) were described by an inhibitory maximum effect (Emax ) model. Sorafenib could inhibit FLT3-ITD activity by 100% with an IC50 of 69.3 ng/mL and ERK activity by 84% with an IC50 of 85.7 ng/mL (both adjusted for metabolite potency). Different dosing regimens utilizing 200 or 400 mg at varying frequencies were simulated based on the exposure-response relationship. Simulations demonstrate that a 200 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) dosing regimen showed similar FLT3-ITD and ERK inhibitory activity compared with 400 mg b.i.d. and is recommended in further clinical trials in patients with AML.
Gender differences in longitudinal relationships between depression and anxiety symptoms and inflammation in the health and retirement study.

Depression and anxiety have been linked to elevated inflammation in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Yet, in terms of longitudinal studies, findings are inconsistent regarding whether depression predicts worsening inflammation or vice versa, and anxiety has been infrequently examined. Further, we know little about longitudinal relationships between inflammation and specific symptom profiles of depression and anxiety. The current study examined longitudinal associations between depression and anxiety symptoms and inflammation in 13,775 people (59% women, average age = 67) participating in the Health and Retirement Study - a population-based study focused on older adults. High sensitivity C-reactive protein and depression and anxiety symptoms were measured at two time-points separated by four years. We used cross-lagged panel models to examine bidirectional relationships, and tested interactions with gender. We found that depressive symptoms predicted increasing inflammation for men, but not for women, and inflammation predicted worsening depression for women, but not for men. These gender differences were driven by somatic symptoms. Specifically, somatic symptoms predicted increasing inflammation for men only and were predicted by inflammation for women only. Regardless of gender, inflammation predicted worsening dysphoric symptoms of depression, and lack of positive affect predicted increasing inflammation over time. Anxiety was not associated with inflammation longitudinally. These findings indicate bidirectional relationships between depressive symptoms and inflammation, but not between anxiety symptoms and inflammation, and that the direction of these effects may differ by gender and type of depressive symptom.
Recursive alloy Hamiltonian construction and its application to the Ni-Al-Cr system

Abstract Navigating the high dimensional composition spaces of multi-principle element alloys, also referred to as high entropy alloys, will require new methods to construct first-principles alloy Hamiltonians. We introduce a recursive approach to parameterizing multi-component alloy Hamiltonians using interaction parameters from simpler subsystems as Bayesian informative priors. We applied this approach to perform a first-principles statistical mechanics study of the Ni-Al-Cr system. Ternary cluster expansions for the Ni-Al-Cr alloy were constructed by building on optimized Ni-Al and Ni-Cr binary cluster expansions. Monte Carlo simulations predict a sizable Cr solubility in the Ni-rich FCC based γ and γ ′ phases. The L 1 2 -ordered γ ′ phase is predicted to dissolve Cr primarily on its Al-sublattice. We also identify a family of hierarchical long-period super structure orderings as groundstates in the Ni-Cr and Al-Cr binaries. The recursive approach to parameterizing alloy Hamiltonians opens the door to rigorous first-principles treatments of the elevated temperature thermodynamics of alloys in high dimensional composition spaces.
A simulation model for assessing the uncertainties of wind farm production

Power generation from wind farms is known to be uncertain due to its dependence on an uncontrollable natural resource, the wind. While it is well known that wind speeds and the system availability are the two chief sources of uncertainty in wind farm yield estimation, other features like the cross-correlation between wind speeds at different turbines (spatial correlations) and correlation of turbine availability to its wind speed, can add to the error in AEP calculation. In this paper we present a simulation model for evaluating the uncertainties in power production on a wind farm due to various features of wind speed and turbine availbility.
Longitudinal associations between psychological well-being and the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Background Psychological well-being is associated with longevity and reduced risk of disease, but possible mechanisms are understudied. Health behaviors like eating fruits and vegetables may link psychological well-being with better health; however, most evidence is cross-sectional. Purpose This study investigated psychological well-being's longitudinal association with fruit and vegetable consumption across as many as 7 years. Method Participants were 6,565 older adults from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which includes men and women aged 50 years or older. Psychological well-being was assessed with 17 items from the Control, Autonomy, Satisfaction, Pleasure Scale. Fruit and vegetable consumption was initially assessed during 2006-2007 and then approximately every 2 years through 2012-2013. Covariates included sociodemographic factors, health status, and other health behaviors. Results Mixed linear models showed that higher baseline levels of psychological well-being were associated with more fruit and vegetable consumption at baseline (β = 0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.02, 0.08]) and that fruit and vegetable consumption declined across time (β = -0.01, 95% CI [-0.02, -0.004]). Psychological well-being interacted significantly with time such that individuals with higher baseline psychological well-being had slower declines in fruit and vegetable consumption (β = 0.01, 95% CI [0.01, 0.02]). Among individuals who initially met recommendations to consume 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables (N = 1,719), higher baseline psychological well-being was associated with 11% reduced risk of falling below recommended levels during follow-up (hazard ratio = 0.89, 95% CI [0.83, 0.95]). Conclusions Findings suggest that psychological well-being may be a precursor to healthy behaviors such as eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. (PsycINFO Database Record
Error Resilient Neuromorphic Networks Using Checker Neurons

The last decade has seen tremendous advances in the application of artificial neural networks to solving problems that mimic human intelligence. Many of these systems are implemented using traditional digital compute engines where errors can occur during memory accesses or during numerical computation. While such networks are inherently error resilient, specific errors can result in incorrect decisions. This work develops a low overhead error detection and correction approach for multilayer artificial neural networks, here the hidden layer functions are approximated using checker neurons. Experimental results show that a high coverage of injected errors can be achieved with extremely low computational overhead using consistency properties of the encoded checks. A key side benefit is that the checks can flag errors when the network is presented outlier data that do not correspond to data with which the network is trained to operate.
The Advanced Compton Telescope

The Advanced Compton Telescope (ACT), NASA’s next major step in gamma‐ray astronomy, will probe the fires where chemical elements are formed by enabling high‐resolution spectroscopy of nuclear emission from supernova explosions. During the past several years, our collaboration has been undertaking a NASA mission concept study for ACT. This study was designed to (1) transform the key scientific objectives into specific instrument requirements, (2) to identify the most promising technologies to meet those requirements, and (3) to design a viable mission concept for this instrument. We will present the results of this study, including scientific goals, instrument design, and mission requirements.
Letting Money Talk: Estimating Ideal Points in Brazil Using Campaign Contributions

In this paper we report on our efforts to estimate ideal points of candidates for all national office and governors from the 2010 electoral cycle in Brazil. We see three potential contributions from our efforts. First, we introduce a new dataset of campaign contributions from the 2010 elections in Brazil. Second, we leverage new methods for estimating ideal points proposed by Bonica (2011). Third, we use this method to provide a preliminary perspective on two important questions in Brazilian politics: the extent of party polarization and the impact of electoral rules on candidate behavior. We find mixed evidence of party polarization or an effect of electoral rules in patterns of campaign donations.