cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robustno optimalna monetarna politika sa skoro-racionalnim očekivanjima

U radu se razmatra optimalna politika monetarne stabilizacije unutar dalekovidog modela kada centralna banka uviđa da ocekivanja privatnog sektora ne moraju biti nužno konzistentna modelu, i želi da izabere politiku zadovoljavajucu u slucaju bilo kog uverenja dovoljno bliskog konzistentnosti modela. Utvrđeno je da je obavezivanje i dalje bitno za optimalnu politiku, da optimalni dugorocni inflacioni target nije pod uticajem stepena potencijalnih distorzija verovanja, i da je optimalna politika cak vise zavisna od istorijskog konteksta nego u slucaju pretpostavljenih racionalnih ocekivanja.
Variable Gaussian approximation for near forward Mie scattering.

L'approximation de Gauss est caracterisee par un rayon effectif de gyration. Les resultats fournissent un guide pour etendre la determination et l'interpretation des rayons de gyration en dehors des domaines de diffraction de Rayleigh Gans Debye et de Fraunhofer
The Year in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

Several important studies related to the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) were published in the past year. In addition, building on recent data, the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) provided updates to the
Biochemical Analysis of the Substrate Specificity of the β-Ketoacyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Synthase Domain of Module 2 of the Erythromycin Polyketide Synthase†

The beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase (KS) domain of the modular 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase (DEBS) catalyzes the fundamental chain building reaction of polyketide biosynthesis. The KS-catalyzed reaction involves two discrete steps consisting of formation of an acyl-enzyme intermediate generated from the incoming acylthioester substrate and an active site cysteine residue, and the conversion of this intermediate to the beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein product by a decarboxylative condensation with a paired methylmalonyl-SACP. We have determined the rate constants for the individual biochemical steps by a combination of protein acylation and transthioesterification experiments. The first-order rate constant (k(2)) for formation of the acyl-enzyme intermediate from [1-(14)C]-(2S,3R)-2-methyl-3-hydroxypentanoyl-SNAC (2) and recombinant DEBS module 2 is 5.8 +/- 2.6 min(-)(1), with a dissociation constant (K(S)) of 3.5 +/- 2.8 mM. The acyl-enzyme adduct was formed at a near-stoichiometric ratio of approximately 0.8:1. Transthioesterification between unlabeled diketide-SNAC 2 and N-[1-(14)C-acetyl]cysteamine gave a k(exch) of 0.15 +/- 0.06 min(-)(1), with a K(m) for HSNAC of 5.7 +/- 4.9 mM and a K(m) for 2 of 5.3 +/- 0.9 mM. Under the conditions that were used, k(exch) was equal to k(-)(2), the first-order rate constant for reversal of the acyl-enzyme-forming reaction. Since the rate of the decarboxylative condensation is much greater that the rate of reversion to the starting material (k(3) >> k(-)(2)), formation of the acyl-enzyme adduct is effectively irreversible, thereby establishing that the observed value of the specificity constant (k(cat)/K(m)) is solely a reflection of the intrinsic substrate specificity of the KS-catalyzed acyl-enzyme-forming reaction. These findings were also extended to a panel of diketide- and triketide-SNAC analogues, revealing that some substrate analogues that are not converted to product by DEBS module 2 form dead-end acyl-enzyme intermediates.
An electrophysiological and behavioural study of sensory responses in Tritonia (Gastropoda, Nudibranchia)†

1) Recent investigations of the nudibranch Tritonia have concentrated on central interactions and the generation of motor output. This is the first description of some of the sensory input to the system and of some roles it may play in behaviour. 2) Recordings were made en passant and from the cut peripheral end of the posterior branch of cerebral nerve II (Willows, 1967) which innervates the oral veil tentacles. 3) Pycnopodia (Echinodermata, Asteroidea) tube feet and tube feet homogenates produced afferent activity which lasted for the duration of the stimulus and efferent activity of much longer duration. The total afferent response varied with homogenate concentration. 4) Mechanical deformation produced phasic afferent activity and efferent activity of longer duration. Water jets produced longer and repeated bursts of afferent activity. 5) Tritonia detects and orients into water currents above a minimum threshold velocity. 6) Interference with rhinophores, oral veil or cerata reduces but does not aboli...
Glucosinolate aglucones and analogues: insecticidal properties and a QSAR

Naturally occurring aglucones of three glucosinolates (sinigrin, glucotropaeolin, and epi-progoitrin) were tested for fumigation activity against the house fly, Musca domestica, and the lesser grain borer, Rhizopertha dominica. A total of eight natural aglucones were evaluated in the bioassays. Two aglucones of sinigrin showed efficacy against both species which was comparable with that of a commercial fumigant, chloropicrin. None of the aglucones tested was comparable in activity to dichlorvos. Aglucones of glucotropaeolin were also insecticidal, but not to the same level as the sinigrin aglucones. The aglucones of epi-progoitrin were only slightly effective as fumigants. A quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) was developed for synthetic analogues of the sinigrin and glucotropaeolin aglucones. An electronic parameter, σ*, provided the best predictor of activity in R. dominica, whereas a hydrophobicity parameter, π, best predicted activity in M. domestica. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Potential Border Patrol for Transplanted Islets?

Type 1 diabetes is a disorder caused by the autoimmune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas (1). Many promising intervention trials are currently underway or in development to prevent β-cell loss in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes and in individuals at increased risk for type 1 diabetes due to the presence of autoantibodies or elevated genetic risk (2). Despite this hope for future interventions, islet transplantation remains the only therapeutic option currently available for individuals with established type 1 diabetes when insulin therapy fails to maintain adequate metabolic control (3). Islet allograft transplantation has demonstrated great success in terms of restoring normoglycemia (4). Unfortunately, the long-term efficacy following transplantation has been limited due to chronic graft rejection (5). Thus, an optimal approach would involve an islet transplantation protocol that would prevent graft rejection without the need for potentially dangerous long-term and nonspecific immune suppression. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proposed to be one possible means to enhance current islet transplantation protocols (6). MSCs represent a population of nonhematopoetic precursor cells that have generated marked interest and attention for their capacity to elicit tissue regeneration (7–9). For the treatment of type 1 diabetes, the therapeutic potential of MSCs is potentially twofold. First, these cells …
A Community Intervention to Decrease Antibiotics Used for Self-Medication Among Latino Adults

PURPOSE Recent evidence in Latino communities indicates substantial self-medication with antibiotics obtained without a prescription (WORx). We implemented and evaluated a culturally sensitive educational intervention to decrease antibiotic self-medication. METHODS We conducted a community-based intervention with preintervention and postintervention measures in the intervention community (Charleston, South Carolina) as well as a postintervention measure in a control community (Greenville, South Carolina) 200 miles away. The 9-month culturally sensitive intervention included multiple media sources (pamphlets, radio, newspapers). We evaluated the use of antibiotics WORx in the United States, as well as the likelihood of importing antibiotics, by surveying Latino adults in the intervention (n = 250) and in the control community (n = 250). RESULTS Most adults in the intervention community (69%) and the control community (60%) reported some exposure to messages about the inappropriate use of antibiotics, and 25.9% in the intervention community and 8.6% in the control community reported seeing our patient education pamphlets. A substantial proportion of Latino adults in both the intervention (31%) and control communities (20%) have obtained antibiotics WORx in the United States. In multivariate analyses, exposure to an educational message was not a significant predictor of having acquired antibiotics WORx in the United States in past 12 months. The primary predictor of respondents’ having acquired antibiotics WORx in the United States was whether they had bought antibiotics WORx outside the United States. CONCLUSIONS Novel approaches are needed to decrease the use of antibiotics WORx in Latino communities, as focusing only on education may not be sufficient to change behaviors common in their home countries.
Fructose oligosaccharides: Possible markers of phylogenetic relationships among dicotyledonous plant families

Abstract Stems from more than 555 species representing 440 genera of approximately 210 dicotyledonous families were surveyed for the presence of fructose oligosaccharides. The tissues from 372 species representing 312 genera and 187 families did not contain such oligosaccharides. The sugars occurred sporadically or in small amounts in members of the following families: Crossosomataceae, Lauraceae, Malpighiaceae, Cornaceae, Myrisinaceae, Melianthaceae, Greyiaceae, and Simaroubaceae. The fructosyl sucrose trisaccharide, isokestose, aswell as its fructose tetrasaccharide homolog (but not higher inulin oligosaccharides) were present in members of the families Hippocastanaceae and Limnathaceae. Stems from members of the families Clethraceae and Monotropaceae, and some members of the Polemoniaceae, contained two series of fructose oligosaccharides: one based on isokestose (the inulin series) and the other one based on kestose (the levan series). The inulin or isokestose-based series of fructose oligosaccharides, alone, was present in members of the following families: Menyanthaceae, Boraginaceae, Campanulaceae, Goodeniaceae, Stylidiaceae, Brunoniaceae, Calyceraceae and Compositae. The primary metabolites occur ubiquitously and consistently in tissues of plants of these families. We hypothesize that this conservative character represents several phylogenetic alliances among them.
Role of the left hemisphere in sign language comprehension.

We investigated the relative role of the left versus right hemisphere in the comprehension of American Sign Language (ASL). Nineteen lifelong signers with unilateral brain lesions [11 left hemisphere damaged (LHD) and 8 right hemisphere damaged (RHD)] performed three tasks, an isolated single-sign comprehension task, a sentence-level comprehension task involving simple one-step commands, and a sentence-level comprehension task involving more complex multiclause/multistep commands. Eighteen of the participants were deaf, one RHD subject was hearing and bilingual (ASL and English). Performance was examined in relation to two factors: whether the lesion was in the right or left hemisphere and whether the temporal lobe was involved. The LHD group performed significantly worse than the RHD group on all three tasks, confirming left hemisphere dominance for sign language comprehension. The group with left temporal lobe involvement was significantly impaired on all tasks, whereas each of the other three groups performed at better than 95% correct on the single sign and simple sentence comprehension tasks, with performance falling off only on the complex sentence comprehension items. A comparison with previously published data suggests that the degree of difficulty exhibited by the deaf RHD group on the complex sentences is comparable to that observed in hearing RHD subjects. Based on these findings we hypothesize (i) that deaf and hearing individuals have a similar degree of lateralization of language comprehension processes and (ii) that language comprehension depends primarily on the integrity of the left
The Pharmacology of Current Anti‐Migraine Drugs

The major finding of this analysis is that acute anti-migraine agents (e.g., ergots, sumatriptan) share high affinity for 5-HT1D receptors. This receptor appears to be present in certain intracranial blood vessels. It is also found on nerve terminals where it inhibits the release of 5-HT and other neurotransmitters. Theoretically, 5-HT1D receptor agonists may acutely inhibit the release of vasoactive and/or pain-inducing substances in the perivascular space. Conceivably, drugs acting at this receptor would stop the progression of this perivascular process. In contrast, a number of prophylactic anti-migraine drugs share a relatively high affinity for 5-HT2 receptors in human brain. Although this receptor is also found in certain blood vessels, it is present throughout the nervous system. The receptor appears to mediate neuronal depolarizations at the cellular level. No hypothesis, at present, readily explains the effectiveness of prophylactic anti-migraine drugs based on this receptor. These data offer a novel approach to the analysis of anti-migraine agents. Drugs could be selected for use in clinical migraine studies based on their selectivity for a specific 5-HT receptor subtype. "Pure" drugs could be chosen which would essentially limit the number of possible sites of action for the drugs. For example, an agent which displays both high affinity and selectivity for 5-HT1D receptors could be clinically evaluated. Its effectiveness, or lack thereof, would indicate the importance of the specific 5-HT receptor site in the pathogenesis of migraine. Further attempts to determine a common mechanism of action for effective anti-migraine agents should facilitate the elucidation of the pathogenesis of this neurological syndrome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Functional Inhibition of BCL2 is Needed to Increase the Susceptibility to Apoptosis to SMO Inhibitors in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of Germinal Center Subtype

Previously, we have demonstrated that inhibition of Hedgehog pathway induces predominantly apoptosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines of activated B-cell (ABC) type but predominantly cell cycle arrest in those of germinal center (GC). Here, we explored the possibility of overcoming the resistance to apoptosis to SMO inhibitors in five DLBCL cells of GC type using the combination of the SMO inhibitor HhAntag (Genentech Inc) with the BH3 mimetic ABT-737 (Abbott Laboratories). As controls we have used two DLBCL of ABC type (OCI-LY10 and OCI-LY3). Combinatorial treatments were performed with increasing concentrations of the HhAntag with low doses (equal or less than the IC20) of ABT-737. MTS assays were used to detect changes in cell viability and Annexin-V and PARP1 cleavage assays were used to detect apoptosis. Combining low doses of ABT-737 with increasing concentrations of HhAntag in GC DLBCL cell lines resulted in significantly increase of apoptosis in comparison to treatments with the SMO inhibitor alone. We concluded that in GC DLBCL cell lines, in contrast to those of ABC type, functional inhibition of BCL2 family members is usually needed to overcome the resistance to apoptosis to SMO inhibitors. These findings provide a rationale to explore the use of SMO and BCL2 inhibitors as adjuvant therapy for treatment of DLBCL of GC type.
Channel identification with Doppler and time shifts using mixed training signals

We present a method to identify channels with both Doppler and time shifts using mixed training signals. The training signals we use consist of two parts, where one part is a constant and the other part is a conventional training signal, such as a pseudo-random signal. These two parts may be separated in either the time or the frequency domain. We provide a necessary and sufficient condition on the channel identifiability in terms of the time and Doppler shifts when the mixed training signals are used. It can be shown that the condition holds almost surely in most cases of interest in practice. Some numerical examples are also presented.
Toward the assimilation of time-averaged observations

[1] A novel algorithm is described for the assimilation of time-averaged observations. A demonstration of this algorithm in an ideal model using an ensemble Kalman filter technique suggests the potential for resolving dynamical features that have a characteristic time-scale longer than the averaging time of the observations. This technique may offer new perspectives in climate reconstruction and in the assimilation of integrated meteorological quantities such as accumulated precipitation.
The influence of mode shape on the acceleration sensitivity of SAW resonators

The acceleration-induced frequency shifts for distinct transverse modes of surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators have been calculated and experimentally validated using a 98.5 MHz SAW resonator. The calculations were made using a recently developed finite element approach to develop numerical solutions for the static biasing state. The SAW mode shapes were determined by applying the variational formulation of Sinha and Tiersten. The calculated mode shapes were compared to actual resonator transverse mode shapes imaged using acousto-optic diffraction with a beam-expanded helium-neon (HeNe) laser to visualize the acoustic power flow. The static biasing state solutions were combined with the calculated mode shapes to compute theoretical acceleration-induced frequency shifts using the perturbation integral formulation derived by Tiersten. For the experimental confirmation, the 98.5 MHz SAW resonator was mounted in a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and submitted to acceleration sensitivity tests at frequencies corresponding to those resonator transverse modes previously imaged. The theoretical and experimental frequency shifts both indicate that the acceleration sensitivity of SAW resonators does not strongly depend on the transverse mode shape.
The Influence of Host Sex on the L3 to L4 Molt of Brugia malayi

Immunocompetent male mice are more susceptible to experimental infection with Brugia spp. than are females. Because permissive male SCID mice (severe combined immunodeficient mice), which lack T and B cells, also possess higher worm burdens, the mechanism is not solely immune mediated. Recovery of fewer adult worms from the female SCID mouse suggests that females do not provide sufficient nutrients for larval growth. This study assessed the potential of the female SCID mouse to support the L3 to L4 molt of Brugia malayi. Unexpectedly, worms grown in females molted at earlier time points of recovery than those harvested from males. This suggests that the early stage of development of B. malayi is delayed in the male murine host. To determine whether the effect of host sex on molting may be similar in humans, worms were cultured in media supplemented with serum from male or female donors. Worms grown in serum obtained from female donors exhibited a significantly higher percentage of complete molts over thos...
Personal history: The carefree realm of sleep.

The practice of neurology is a stressful occupation, at least if you do it right, but the chance to change someone’s life for the better is a reward that is hard to top. Fortunately, the tides of stress ebb long enough for us to think a little about our patients, and our daydreams can be rewarding too. I was privileged to see a patient whose story reminded me of a poetic tale of reward, metamorphosis and literary immortality. A 31-year-old man attended my neurology clinic, accompanied by his wife and his bubbling 3-year-old son. The man had caused a minor traffic accident when he fell asleep at the wheel. An emergency physician diagnosed epilepsy, reported him to the traffic authorities, and advised him not to drive until he had consulted a neurologist. My patient had no trouble falling asleep at night, and did not wake up once asleep. He awoke feeling refreshed, and did not fall asleep while working at his job as a construction foreman. However, he frequently felt drowsy while driving home from work and often found himself falling asleep momentarily. On closer questioning, my patient said that he lived in Modesto, a small agricultural city in the central valley of California, and worked 90 miles away in San Jose. He had moved to Modesto because, as a construction worker, he could not afford to buy a house in the San Francisco Bay area. Many other middle-class Californians face the same problem, resulting in severe traffic congestion on the only major highway between the two cities. The commuter’s day is a long one in many parts …
The in vivo spleen response to sheep erythrocytes in bursectomized-irradiated chickens.

The proliferative and plaque forming cell (PFC) responses in the spleens of control-irradiated and bursectomized-irradiated chickens 4 days after a single i.v. injection of sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) were studied. Both the proliferative and the PFC response was deficient in the bursectomized-irradiated chickens. The “background” anti-SRBC PFCs found in the spleens of unimmunized control-irradiated chickens were absent in bursectomized-irradiated animals.
Characteristics of an ITS that evolves from tutor to operator's assistant

A research project was undertaken to address the problems and issues of operator training in complex engineering systems. The research proposes a tutor/aid paradigm for the design of an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) that evolves from a tutor to an operator's assistant for supervisory control of complex dynamic systems. The goal is to design a joint cognitive system that achieves a symbiosis of human and computer skills critical in ensuring safe and reliable operation of complex dynamic systems. The implementation of the tutor/aid concept capitalizes on OFMspert, a successful computer-based associate that represents the final end in the evolution of the tutor to an assistant. Characteristics of an intelligent tutoring/aiding system are identified with respect to the representation of domain knowledge, the tutor's pedagogical structure, and the student knowledge representation. The OFMspert architecture provides preliminary structures for realizing some of these characteristics. Areas in which OFMspert must be augmented to support tutoring are identified. Finally, the architecture is illustrated in the context of a tutor/assistant for NASA satellite ground controllers. >
Student Perspectives of an Interdisciplinary Approach to Clinical Provision and Supervision

We conducted a survey to investigate student perceptions of an interdisciplinary clinical practicum and to identify beneficial interdisciplinary supervisory practices. Seven speech-language patholo...
Emotional regulation, or: how I learned to stop worrying and love the nucleus accumbens.

How does the brain control emotion? In this issue of Neuron , Wager et al. use a novel mediation analysis of neuroimaging data to show two independent pathways for the control of emotion by the prefrontal cortex: a path through the amygdala predicts a greater negative emotional response, and a path through the nucleus accumbens/ventral striatum predicts a greater positive response.
Computational arrays with flexible redundancy

Different multiple redundancy schemes for fault detection and correction in computational arrays are proposed and analyzed. The basic idea is to embed a logical array of nodes onto a processor/switch array such that d processors, 1/spl les/d/spl les/4, are dedicated to the computation associated with each node. The input to a node is directed to the d processors constituting that node, and the output of the node is computed by taking a majority vote among the outputs of the d processors. The proposed processor/switch array (PSVA) is versatile in the sense that it may be configured as a nonredundant system or as a system which supports double, triple or quadruple redundancy. It also allows for spares to be distributed in the PSVA in a way that permits spare sharing among nodes, thus enhancing the overall system reliability. In addition to choosing the required degree of redundancy, the flexibility of the PSVA architecture allows for the embedding of redundant arrays onto defective PSVA's and for run-time reconfiguration to avoid faulty processors and switches. Different embedding and reconfiguration algorithms are presented and analyzed using Markov chain techniques, using probability arguments, and via simulation. >
Multiuser diversity scheduling in MIMO systems with correlated fading

Previous studies have shown that single-user systems with t antennas at the transmitter and r antennas at the receiver can achieve capacity proportional to min(r, t) assuming a rich scattering environment. In this paper, we study a cellular network with a t-antenna basestation and K r-antenna users. We assume exponentially correlated fading exists either at the basestation or at the users, and the channels of different users change independently. Multiuser diversity is exploited by always allowing the basestation to transmit to the user which channel provides the highest capacity among all users. For this network, we investigate the impact of correlated fading on the network capacity. We find that if both t and r > 1, the impact of correlated fading depends on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). At the low SNR regime, the capacity will also increase with the correlation coefficient. However, at the high SNR regime, under the condition that one side of the channel having correlated fading has less antennas than the other side, the increase of the correlation coefficient will reduce the capacity. In addition, we find the closed-form solutions for the mean and variance of single-user multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel capacities for different cases.
Diagnosis and management of fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence is defined as either the involuntary passage or the inability to control the discharge of fecal matter through the anus. Clinically there are three subtypes (a) passive incontinence—the involuntary discharge of stool or gas without awareness; (b) urge incontinence—the discharge of fecal matter in spite of active attempts to retain bowel contents, and (c) fecal seepage—the leakage of stool following otherwise normal evacuation. The severity of incontinence can range from the unintentional elimination of flatus to the seepage of liquid fecal matter or sometimes the complete evacuation of bowel contents. Not surprisingly, these events cause considerable embarrassment, which in turn can lead to a loss of self-esteem, social isolation, and a diminished quality of life (1).
Expressing enzymatic domains of hamster CAD in CAD-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells.

The first three enzymes of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, carbamyl phosphate synthetase (CPSase), aspartate transcarbamylase (ATCase) and dihydroorotase (DHOase), are domains of a single Polypeptide (called CAD) in species from Dictyostelium to humans. One approach to demonstrate the independence of the enzymatic domains of CAD has been to express portions of the hamster CAD cDNA in E. coli defective in synthesizing pyrimidines de novo. For example, the CAD sequence encoding the ATCase domain cloned into a bacterial expression vector was transformed into ATCase-deficient E. coli (Maley and Davidson, 1988). The transformants were able to grow in the absence of uracil and contained hamster protein with ATCase activity. This system is proving to be a powerful strategy for studying the structure and evolution of the enzymatic domains of CAD (e.g. Musmanno et al., 1991; Zimmermann and Evans, 1993; Williams et al., 1993). However, in order to study the significance of CAD structure to pyrimidine metabolism in mammals, it may be helpful to express the enzymatic domains of CAD separately in a hamster cell line deficient in CAD. This was first achieved with the successful expression of the CPSase domain in a CAD-deficient hamster cell line (Musmanno et al., 1992). In this report the ATCase and DHOase domains are expressed as separate proteins in a CAD-deficient cell line, and the application of this approach in generating a carbamyl phosphate synthetase activity unresponsive to feedback inhibition by UTP is described.
Idiopathic polyhydramnios: persistence across gestation and impact on pregnancy outcomes

Abstract Purpose To investigate the likelihood of resolution of idiopathic polyhydramnios in pregnant women and compare outcomes between resolved and persistent cases. Methods One hundred and sixty-three women with idiopathic polyhydramnios who delivered at two medical centers during a 3 year period (January 2012–January 2015) were included in the study. Exclusion criteria included congenital fetal anomalies, maternal diabetes, isoimmunization, fetal infection, placental tumors or anomalies, and multiple gestation. Polyhydramnios was defined as SDP≥8cm or AFI≥24cm. Resolved cases were defined as those with AFI and/or SDP falling and remaining below 24cm and 8cm respectively. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between resolved and persistent cases. Two-sample t -test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for continuous variables while chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical measures. Results Resolution was noted in 61 of 163 (37%) patients. There were no differences in maternal age, gravidity or parity between resolved and persistent cases. Mean gestational age at diagnosis of polyhydramnios and overall mean AFI were significantly lower in the cases that resolved (29.7±4.5 weeks vs 33.4±4.1 weeks, p p =0.0002). Similar to AFI measurements, mean SDP was also lower in cases with resolution ( p =0.002). There was no difference in induction rates, mode of delivery, amnioinfusion rates, meconium staining of amniotic fluid and fetal heart rate abnormalities influencing intrapartum management between the two groups. Induction of labor for fetal indication and rupture of membranes were significantly more common in the persistent group. Cesarean delivery for abnormal lie and fetal distress did not differ between the groups. There was an increased risk of macrosomia (>4000g) and preterm delivery ( p Conclusions Resolution rate was approximately 37% and more likely in cases diagnosed earlier in pregnancy and with lower mean amniotic fluid volume. Preterm delivery and macrosomia were more common in cases that persisted across gestation.
Propel with OpenCL: a deep dive workshop to create, debug, analyze and optimize OpenCL applications using Intel tools: a tutorial

This workshop and tutorial will allow developers to learn underlying architecture relevant to running OpenCL applications on Intel ®Processor Graphics and use Intel tools such as Intel ®OpenCL ™Code Builder and Intel ®VTune ™Amplifier to create, develop and analyze OpenCL applications for Intel ®Processor Graphics. Developers will also learn how to achieve better performance of their OpenCL programs by using detailed optimization techniques and best known methods to address issues. All the steps will be demonstrated with supportive examples and real data. Developers will also get to explore ways to utilize the new concepts of OpenCL 2.0 along with the power of the tools to create more complex and better performing OpenCL programs. During the session, developers will get a chance to walk through every stage of the lifecycle, from creating their first OpenCL application, experiencing Intel ®OpenCL ™Code Builder and Intel ®VTune ™Amplifier debugging, to optimizing capabilities in complete action.Topics that will be covered include:• Intel ®Processor Graphics Architecture Overview.• Tools workshop to create, debug, analyze and apply optimization techniques for OpenCl programs using:--- Intel ®OpenCL ™Code Builder--- Intel ®VTune ™Amplifier• Optimization guides and best known methods with supportive samples and data.
On the Move: Evading Distributed Denial-of-Service Attacks

A proposed moving-target defense against DDoS attacks repeatedly shuffles client-to-server assignments to identify and eventually quarantine malicious clients.
Relationship of the Crop Capacity to the Depletion of the Fat Body and Egg Development in the Corn Earworm, Heliothis zea, and the Fall Armyworm, Laphygma frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Feeding experiments with the corn earworm demonstrated no correlation between the length of life and the amount of feeding or pupal weight. It is shown that the crop expands in direct proportion with the depletion of fat and the reproductive condition of the imago, the number of matured eggs being particularly important. Egg development and the position of the abdominal organs in relation to the crop are described.
A review of wind turbine noise measurements and regulations

Related reviews are given of (1) international wind turbine noise regulations and standards and (2) modern experimental methods in aeroacoustic measurement with sample applications. For the latter,...
Complex ΨDOSS and systems of complex differential equations

In Chapters 4–7 we discussed pseudo-differential equations of integer and fractional orders with ψDOSS depending on real variables \(t \in \mathbb{R}\) and \(x \in \mathbb{R}^{n}\). In this section we will discuss differential and pseudo-differential equations depending on complex variables \(t =\tau +i\sigma \in \mathbb{C}\) and \(z = x + iy \in \mathbb{C}^{n}.\) Consider two simple examples with the one-dimensional “spatial” variable: (i) “complex wave” equation, and (ii) “complex heat” equation.
Organic preservation of non-mineralizing organisms and the taphonomy of the Burgess Shale

Organic preservation of non-mineralizing animals constitutes an important part of the paleontological record, yet the processes involved have not been investigated in detail. Organic-walled fossils are generally explicable as a coincidence of original, relatively recalcitrant, extra-cellular materials and more or less anti-biotic depositional circumstances. One of the most pervasive natural inhibitors of biodegradation results from substrate and enzyme adsorption onto, and within, clay minerals; such interactions are likely responsible for many of the organic-walled fossils preserved in clastic sediments. Close examination of the fossil Lagerstatte of the Burgess Shale (Middle Cambrian, British Columbia) reveals that most of its so-called soft-bodied fossils are composed of primary (although kerogenized) organic carbon. Their preservation can be attributed to pervasive clay-organic interactions as the organisms were transported in a moving sediment cloud and buried with all cavities and spaces permeated with fine grained clays. The organic-walled Burgess Shale fossils were studied both in petrographic thin section and isolated from the rock matrix, following careful acid maceration. Isotopic analysis of bulk organic and carbonate carbon yielded values consistent with a normal marine paleoenvironment. Anatomical and histological consideration of the enigmatic Burgess worm Amiskwia suggest that it may in fact be a chaetognath, while the putative chordate Pikaia appears not to be related to modern cephalochordates.
The sweet life: The effect of mindful chocolate consumption on mood

Chocolate consumption is anecdotally associated with an increase in happiness, but little experimental work has examined this effect. We combined a food type manipulation (chocolate vs. crackers) with a mindfulness manipulation (mindful consumption vs. non-mindful consumption) and examined the impact on positive mood. Participants (N = 258) were randomly assigned to eat a small portion (75 calories) of chocolate or a control food (crackers) in a mindful or non-mindful way. Participants who were instructed to mindfully eat chocolate had a greater increase in positive mood compared to participants who were instructed to eat chocolate non-mindfully or crackers either mindfully or non-mindfully. Additional analyses revealed that self-reported liking of the food partially mediated this effect. Chocolate appears to increase positive mood, but particularly when it is eaten mindfully.
Relationship between brain stem volume and aggression in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Background Aggressive behaviors are common in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may be phenotypic indicators of different subtypes within ASD. In current research literature for non-ASD samples, aggression has been linked to several brain structures associated with emotion and behavioral control. However, few if any studies exist investigating brain volume differences in individuals with ASD who have comorbid aggression as indicated by standardized diagnostic and behavioral measures.
Response to changing contingencies in infants at high and low risk for autism spectrum disorder

One recently proposed theory of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) hypothesizes that individuals with the disorder may have difficulty using prior experiences to predict future events [Hellendoorn et al., 2015; Northrup, 2016; Sinha et al., 2014]. To date, this theory has not been tested in infancy. The current study analyzed how young infants at heightened (HR; older sibling with ASD) vs. low risk (LR; no first degree relatives with ASD) for ASD responded to changing contingencies when interacting with two visually identical rattles-one that produced sounds during shaking (Sound), and one that did not (Silent). Infants were given the rattles in a Sound-Silent-Sound order at 6 and 10 months, and shaking behavior was coded. Results indicated that LR and HR infants (regardless of ASD diagnosis) did not differ from each other in shaking behavior at 6 months. However, by 10 months, LR infants demonstrated high initial shaking with all three rattles, indicating expectations for rattle affordances, while HR infants did not. Significantly, HR infants, and particularly those with an eventual ASD diagnosis, did not demonstrate an "extinction burst"-or high level of shaking-in the first 10 sec with the "silent" rattle, indicating that they may have difficulty generalizing learning from one interaction to the next. Further, individual differences in the strength of this "extinction burst" predicted cognitive development in toddlerhood among HR infants. Difficulty forming expectations for new interactions based on previous experiences could impact learning and behavior in a number of domains. Autism Res 2017. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1239-1248. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Whole exome sequencing (WES) in HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients (pts) with extraordinary responses to trastuzumab (T).

611 Background: While 50-70% of pts with HER2+ MBC treated with T respond to therapy, the vast majority eventually develop resistance, after a median duration of 1 year. In rare cases, pts have exc...
Confinement and Chiral Symmetry Breaking from an ensemble of interacting Instanton-dyons(monopoles) in SU(2) QCD

We show how the increase in the Instanton-dyon density can explain both Confinement and Chiral symmetry breaking. We simulate an ensemble of 64 interacting Instanton-dyons for 2 colors and 0 or 2 quark flavors. We find that at low temperatures, the high density of dyons prefer a symmetric density, which leads to the confining value of the Polyakov Loop. At the same time the Chiral condensate is highly sensitive to the Polyakov Loop. As the Polyakov Loop gets close to the confining value, the Chiral condensate develops a non-zero expectation value, thus breaking Chiral symmetry.
Learning dictionaries for accelerated parallel MRI reconstruction

This talk describes a new adaptive variant of K-SVD dictionary learning that is suitable for the highly varied features present in MRI images. This variant is used to regularize SPIRiT parallel MRI reconstruction to produce higher quality images from incomplete measurements. The approach described involves modeling the dictionary approximation error as nearly sparse across the patches of the reconstructed image. This presentation will feature experiments reconstructing MRI data from multiple types of scans, including neuroimaging and cardiac imaging. These results demonstrate that the proposed method yields better reconstruction quality in both these settings. This talk will conclude with a discussion of related challenges in MRI reconstruction.
Two-Dimensional Signals and Systems

This chapter introduces 2-Dimensional systems and signals along with the bounded-input bounded-output (BIBO) stability concept, Fourier transform, and spatial convolution. It discusses how the familiar step and impulse functions of 1-D digital signal processing (DSP) generalize to the 2-D case. The Fourier transform is extended to 2D and some of its important properties are studied. Some ideal spatial filters and other important discrete space Fourier transform pairs are discussed. Furthermore, the continuous-space Fourier transform is introduced to deal with angular rotations and prove the celebrated projection-slice theorem of computer tomography. The application of continuous-space Fourier transform in computer tomography is understood using the rotational invariant feature of this transform. The projection-slice theorem is only approximated in the discrete-space Fourier transform and when the sampling rate is high.
Intra-Ethnic Coverage Disparities among Latinos and the Effects of Health Reform

Objective To examine the patterns of insurance coverage among nine Latino subgroups and assess heterogeneous effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) among these groups. Data Sources American Community Survey (2010–2014). Study Design We examined pre-ACA disparities in coverage using linear probability models. Then, we used interrupted time series and triple-difference models to evaluate coverage changes associated with the ACA and Medicaid expansion, respectively. Principal Findings Pre-ACA coverage disparities between Latino subgroups were nearly 30 percentage points—larger than the gap between whites and Latinos as a whole. Coverage changes associated with the ACA and Medicaid expansion differed significantly between subgroups, with the largest gains among South Americans, Central Americans, and Mexicans. Conclusions Latino subgroups show marked heterogeneity in baseline coverage rates and responses to the ACA.
A Vector Parabolic Equation Model for Elastic Propagation

Some aspects of vector parabolic equations are examined as a means of propagating waves in linear elastic solids. A revised derivation of a previously published model, based on a Born approximation for scattering from an inhomogeneous layer, enables parabolic equation (PE) computations in elastic media with different longitudinal and shear speeds. This method of derivation is shown to reduce to the normal PE for the scalar case. The elastic PE model has been implemented using finite-difference techniques. Computed results for a channeled environment are consistent with physical considerations. Analysis reveals that hard and soft boundaries do not lend themselves to a straightforward implementations in a potential formulation.
A Preliminary Examination of WRF Ensemble Prediction of Convective Mode Evolution

AbstractAccurately simulating convective mode evolution can assist forecasters in the severe weather warning process. A few prior studies have examined the skill of simulating convective modes using single, deterministic forecasts. The present study extends the earlier evaluations to a small, four-member ensemble, with each member incorporating varying initial and lateral boundary conditions, microphysics schemes, and planetary boundary layer schemes. Simulated convective modes from thirty-two 12-h simulations were categorized into nine classifications using a classification scheme developed from previous studies. Multiple methods were used to derive forecasts of these convective classifications, creating an hourly deterministic ensemble mode forecast and probabilistic forecasts for 1-, 6-, and 12-h periods. Forecasts were compared with observed radar reflectivity for verification. In general, hourly deterministic ensemble mode forecasts showed improvement over individual member forecasts. The small ensem...
Special Considerations in the Adaptation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia With Active-Duty U.S. Army Personnel

Abstract Insomnia is highly prevalent among active-duty military service members. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a well-established and effective treatment; however, research and treatment recommendations have primarily focused on civilian or veteran populations. A multitude of military-specific factors directly impact service members’ sleep and the subsequent treatment recommendations. This article provides treatment considerations for the use of CBT-I with active-duty U.S. Army personnel. First, an overview of the theoretical model of insomnia, including military-specific predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors, is presented, followed by a review of common comorbid conditions among service members with insomnia. Finally, discussion focuses on considerations and strategies for implementing components of CBT-I with service members, managing sleep during deployments, and adjusting sleep to accommodate overnight duties. Additional training resources and supplemental video examples (with actors) are provided.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Outcome Is Predicted by Expression of Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. There is an urgent demand for prognostic biomarkers that facilitate early tumor detection, as the incidence of HCC has tripled in the United States in the last three decades. Biomarkers to identify populations at risk would have significant impact on survival. We recently found that expression of Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1 (NCS1), a Ca2+-dependent signaling molecule, predicted disease outcome in breast cancer, but its predictive value in other cancer types is unknown. This protein is potentially useful because increased NCS1 regulates Ca2+ signaling and increased Ca2+ signaling is a hallmark of metastatic cancers, conferring cellular motility and an increasingly aggressive phenotype to tumors. Methods: We explored the relationship between NCS1 expression levels and patient survival in two publicly available liver cancer cohorts and a tumor microarray using data mining strategies. Results: High NCS1 expression levels are significantly associated with worse disease outcome in Asian patients within these cohorts. In addition, a variety of Ca2+-dependent and tumor growth-promoting genes are transcriptionally coregulated with NCS1 and many of them are involved in cytoskeleton organization, suggesting that NCS1 induced dysregulated Ca2+ signaling facilitates cellular motility and metastasis. Conclusions: We found NCS1 to be a novel biomarker in HCC. Furthermore, our study identified a pharmacologically targetable signaling complex that can influence tumor progression in HCC. Impact: These results lay the foundation for using NCS1 as a prognostic biomarker in prospective cohorts of HCC patients and for further functional assessment of the characterized signaling axis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(9); 1091–100. ©2018 AACR.
Mammoth Cave System, Kentucky

Mammoth Cave System is located about 160 km (100 miles) south of Louisville, Kentucky and about 56 km (35 miles) northeast of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Most of the cave lies within Mammoth Cave National Park, a World Heritage Site and a part of the United Nations program of International Biosphere Reserves. It is the longest cave in the world by a factor of 3, with about 631 km (392 miles) of surveyed passage. Mammoth Cave consists of active and abandoned conduits carrying water from the recharge area to the south to discharge as springs along the deeply incised Green River. Development of the cave has spanned a time period from the Pliocene to the present. The exceptional length has been preserved by the protective sandstone caprock. Mammoth Cave contains a variety of carbonate and sulfate minerals, the latter preserved by the dry environment beneath the caprock. Mammoth Cave also supports an exceptional biological diversity.