cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large-scale subject-specific cerebral arterial tree modeling using automated parametric mesh generation for blood flow simulation

In this paper, we present a novel technique for automatic parametric mesh generation of subject-specific cerebral arterial trees. This technique generates high-quality and anatomically accurate computational meshes for fast blood flow simulations extending the scope of 3D vascular modeling to a large portion of cerebral arterial trees. For this purpose, a parametric meshing procedure was developed to automatically decompose the vascular skeleton, extract geometric features and generate hexahedral meshes using a body-fitted coordinate system that optimally follows the vascular network topology. To validate the anatomical accuracy of the reconstructed vasculature, we performed statistical analysis to quantify the alignment between parametric meshes and raw vascular images using receiver operating characteristic curve. Geometric accuracy evaluation showed an agreement with area under the curves value of 0.87 between the constructed mesh and raw MRA data sets. Parametric meshing yielded on-average, 36.6% and 21.7% orthogonal and equiangular skew quality improvement over the unstructured tetrahedral meshes. The parametric meshing and processing pipeline constitutes an automated technique to reconstruct and simulate blood flow throughout a large portion of the cerebral arterial tree down to the level of pial vessels. This study is the first step towards fast large-scale subject-specific hemodynamic analysis for clinical applications. Display Omitted Automated parametric mesh generation technique to reconstruct subject-specific cerebral arterial tree.The parametric meshing technique extends hemodynamic analysis from few segments to large-scale modeling.CFD hemodynamic studies in subject-specific arterial trees are facilitated by the automated parametric mesh generation.
Assessment of Si/SiGe PMOS Schottky contacts through atomistic tight binding simulations: Can we achieve the 10 −9 Ω·cm? target?

With continuous shrinking of devices in accordance with Moore's law, metal-semiconductor resistivity starts playing an important role for device performance. To meet ITRS target of 10−9 Ω·cm2 by 2023, it is important to evaluate the effect of different device parameters such as doping concentration, Schottky barrier height, strain and SiGe mole fraction on contact resistivity. In this work, such a resistivity study has been done on Si/SiGe PMOS contacts through 10-band atomistic tight binding quantum transport simulations. Optimum target values for barrier height as a function of doping concentration are obtained.
Enrolee outcomes after health insurance plan terminations: a diagnosis of default effects

Behavioural economic research has established that defaults, one form of nudge, powerfully influence choices. In most policy contexts, all individuals receive the same nudge. We present a model that analyses the optimal universal nudge for a situation in which individuals differ in their preferences and hence should make different choices and may incur a cost for resisting a nudge. Our empirical focus is on terminated choosers (TCs), individuals whose prior choices become no longer available. Specifically, we examine the power of defaults on individuals who had enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage and whose plans were then discontinued. Currently, if these TCs fail to actively choose another Medicare Advantage plan, they are defaulted into traditional fee-for-service Medicare (TM) without drug coverage. Overall, the rate of transition of TCs into TM is low, implying that original preferences and status quo bias overpower the default. Increasing numbers of Americans are choosing plans in health insurance exchange settings such as Medicare, the Affordable Care Act and private exchanges. Plan exits and large numbers of TCs are inevitable, along with other forms of turmoil. Any guidance and defaults provided for TCs should factor in their past revealed preferences.
Hypertonic saline infusion for treating intracranial hypertension after severe traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of mortality and disability. Post-traumatic intracranial hypertension (ICH) further complicates the care of patients. Hyperosmolar agents are recommended for the treatment of ICH, but no consensus or high-level data exist on the use of any particular agent or the route of administration. The two agents used commonly are hypertonic saline (HTS) and mannitol given as bolus therapy. Smaller studies suggest that HTS may be a superior agent in reducing the ICH burden, but neither agent has been shown to improve mortality or functional outcome. In a recently published analysis of pooled data from three prospective clinical trials, continuous infusion of HTS correlated with serum hypernatremia and reduced ICH burden in addition to improving 90-day mortality and functional outcome. This lays the foundation for the upcoming continuous hyperosmolar therapy for traumatic brain-injured patients (COBI) randomized controlled trial to study the outcome benefit of continuous HTS infusion to treat ICH after severe TBI. This is much anticipated and will be a high impact trial should the results be replicated. However, this would still leave a question over the use of mannitol bolus therapy which will need to be studied.
Application of machine learning to x-ray diffraction-based classification

X-ray diffraction-based baggage screening provides the potential for the material sensitivity needed to realize high detection probabilities and low false alarm rates. However, the combination of noisy signals, variability in the XRD form factors based on slight material differences, and incomplete material libraries lead to decreased system performance. By using a machine learning classification approach to XRD-based explosives detection, we show that the probability of error can be reduced relative to traditional, correlation-based classifiers. This improved performance exists at a variety of noise levels and degrees of library completeness, and indicates a path toward increased XRD-based classifier robustness.
Application of Exploratory Multivariate Analysis for Network Security

There are many ways to study, analyze, visualize and detect network traffic anomalies. Some of these are quite successful. However, it is difficult to compare the results obtained from these studies and to define the merits and demerits of each method. This difficulty is exacerbated while comparing visualization methods. A primary reason for this difficulty is the heterogeneous nature of the development process of these methods, as they do not use a common framework for the development and testing. This study uses the S language for statistical computing and graphics as a unified framework for evaluating the applicability of seven exploratory multivariate analysis methods for anomaly detection and visualization. The methods are used to study, visualize and possibly detect computer network attacks. The k-means, hierarchical clustering, self-organizing maps, principal component analysis, independent component analysis, stars plots and mosaic plots are used to analyze and visualize selected network attacks from the DARPA 1998 Intrusion detection evaluation data set. Visualization techniques associated with each method provide more in-depth representation of the nature of the network traffic with each method having its unique view of the data. Some of the results obtained may be used in identifying trends in the behavioral change in the traffic characteristics. Using this unified framework, a comparison of the performance, feature, graphical representation and applicability of each method is possible.
Graph Theory: A Primer for Using R Visualization Techniques in the Applications of the Adjacency Matrix

Today, graph theory has become major instrument that is used in an array of fields. Some of these include electrical engineering, mathematical research, sociology, economics, computer programming/networking, business administration and marketing. Indeed, many problems can be modeled with paths formed by traveling along the edges of a certain graph. Frequently referenced problems are efficiently planning routes for mail delivery, garbage pickup and snow removal, which can be solved using models that involve paths in graphs. Given these kinds of problems, graphs can become extremely complex, and a more efficient way of representing them is needed in practice. This is where the concept of the adjacency matrix and linear algebra comes into play. This paper develops the linear algebra application to the adjacency matrix and then presents some visuals in the form of sample graphs and attributes, as well as an interactive version.This paper is a part of a sequence of papers that responds to different aspects of graph theory. Please refer to the author’s research page at http://ssrn.com/author=1555152
The Benefits of Business-to-Business Applications for Fabless Semiconductor Companies

Companies in the semiconductor industry are rapidly adopting e-business to increase their transaction speed and operational efficiency. Device manufacturers, designers, and suppliers use advance information technologies to better interact with their business partners. The realized benefits are especially high for fabless semiconducter companies, which outsource their manufacturing processes to one or more partners. While outsourcing eliminates the need for high initial investments in manufacturing facilities, it limits the visibility of the fabless company to the manufacturing process. Thus, unless the fabless company takes some action to improve the level of coordination with their business partners, the complexity of the manufacturing process, its high degrees of uncertainties, and the global supply chain are likely to lead to excessively long lead times, especially when compared to competitors that own their own manufacturing facilities. This chapter studies the potential benefits of implementing a cross-enterprise application between a fabless semiconductor company and its manufacturing and assembly partners, benefits which are likely to be similar for other types of companies that outsource their manufacturing. We then present a case study of one specific fabless company that implemented an advanced application for cross-enterprise integration, and show the resulting benefits realized by that company.
Advanced biliary tract cancer: Experience with ABC-02 regimen in a tertiary care center in the United States.

e15624Background: The ABC-02 trial defined gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) as the standard regimen for advanced biliary tract cancers (BTC). This single institution retrospective review evaluates t...
The recalcitrant invention of X-ray images

This article extends new materialist theorizing on the constructive role played by the physical stuff of the world. Specifically, it draws on Kenneth Burke’s writings on recalcitrance to theorize t...
Reducing Ripple in Wind Power Systems: A Hybrid Method Formed Using Two Power Controllers

A direct power control (DPC) scheme for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind energy systems is a simple control structure and has fast dynamic response in comparison with other well-developed control approaches, such as field-oriented control (FOC). The simplicity of this method comes from employing hysteresis-based controllers (HBCs) for the stator active and reactive power. However, the controller is nonlinear, and the converter has a nonconstant switching frequency.
STRUM: A New Dataset for Neuroergonomics Research

The past decade has seen a gradual expansion of Brain-Computer Interface applications from their clinical roots into entertainment, automotive, workplace, and military domains. However, many of these new-found applications have yet to pass the prototype stage, among others due to challenges posed by real-world data noise levels and increased context variability and complexity. Tackling these challenges requires sufficiently realistic and rich datasets that allow for benchmarking competing approaches, and in this paper, we present a task battery modeled after a complex real-world scenario, together with a new open dataset for BCI research. Results from an exemplary analysis of a slice of this large trove of data are presented, and it is found that the data mirror some of the challenges encountered in real-world deployments, with various well-known BCI algorithms showing a pronounced performance differential to highly simplified lab experiments. The results also show significant performance differences among alternative methods, indicating possible trajectories for future improvements BCI methodology applied to complex real-world contexts.
A Multiscale Dynamical Modeling and Identification Framework for Spike-Field Activity

Dynamical encoding models characterize neural activity with low-dimensional hidden states that dynamically evolve in time and gienerate behavior. Current methods have identified these models from single-scale activity, either spikes or fields. However, behavior is simultaneously encoded across multiple spatiotemporal scales of activity, from spikes of individual neurons to neural population activity measured through fields. Identifying a multiscale dynamical model to extract hidden states that simultaneously describe spike-field activities is challenging because of their fundamental differences. Spikes are binary-valued with fast millisecond time-scales while fields are continuous-valued with slower time-scales. Here, we develop a novel multiscale dynamical modeling and identification algorithm to simultaneously characterize multiscale spike-field dynamics and extract multiscale hidden states. We also devise a modal approach to dissociate task-relevant and task-irrelevant dynamics. Using extensive simulations, we show that the algorithm accurately identifies a multiscale dynamical model to simultaneously describe spike-field dynamics. Furthermore, the algorithm extracts hidden states that are multiscale, i.e., contain information from both spikes and fields and accurately predict behavior. Finally, the algorithm detects which of the identified dynamics are task-relevant and to what extent. This multiscale dynamical modeling and identification framework can help study neural dynamics across spatiotemporal scales and may facilitate future neurotechnologies.
Advancing Well-Being of “At Risk” Populations

The central goal of well-being research, policy, and practice is to improve the conditions under which people live, especially those population groups that are “at risk” of failing to achieve a reasonable level of quality of life and well-being. The population groups at high risk of negative levels of well-being historically have been children and youth, the elderly, women, persons with serious emotional or physical limitations (often both), the extremely poor, and those living on the margins of society because of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and other “socially crushing” factors. Fortunately, in recent decades, both nations and global organizations have promulgated a rich series of policies and regulations, resolutions, declarations, and covenants that have been focused on the special well-being needs of each of these marginalized population groups. This situation has been the case for each of the population groups identified below as well as for others whose well-being societies share major responsibilities.
A retrospective study evaluating the pretreatment tumor volume (PTV) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a predictor of response to program death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors.

Introduction of hypothesis Little information is available regarding the imaging characteristics that assist in differentiating responders from non-responders. We hypothesized that patients with higher pretreatment tumor volume (PTV) would have lower response rates and shorter overall survival (OS). Methods Data from patients who received at least one dose of program death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors before August 31, 2016 were captured from our institution's pharmacy database. The primary objective was to determine the association of PTV with best response, evaluated utilizing RECIST v1.1 criteria. Secondary objectives were estimation of progression-free survival (PFS) and OS. PTV was measured using the Philips Intellispace Multi-Modality Tumor Tracking application. Results 116 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were evaluated. 66% patients had adenocarcinoma, 28% had squamous cell carcinoma and 5% had poorly differentiated NSCLC. Median PTV was 53.7 cm3 (95% CI: 13.3-107.9). Only one individual had no metastases and the remainder had M1 disease; 38% M1a, 10% M1b, 51% M1c. Most (79%) were previously treated. There were no complete responses; among those followed for at least 6 weeks, 26% had a partial response, 39% stable disease and 34% PD; 4% had no recorded response. There were no strong associations of PTV with any of the demographic or clinical characteristics. There was no association between PTV and OS (HR 1.2, P=0.26) or PFS (HR 1.1, P=0.47). Liver metastasis was associated with shorter survival (HR=2.8, P=0.05). Conclusion PTV in NSCLC did not prove to be a predictor of response to PD-1 inhibitors but having liver metastasis was associated with significantly shorter survival.
Characteristics and current clinical practices of opioid treatment programs in the United States

Abstract Background Given rising rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) and related consequences, opioid treatment programs (OTPs) can play a pivotal role in the U.S. opioid crisis. There is a paucity of recent research to guide how best to leverage OTPs in the opioid response. Methods We conducted a national survey of U.S. OTPs using a 46-question electronic survey instrument covering three domains: 1) OTP characteristics; 2) services offered; and 3) current clinical practices. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression examined variables in these domains. Results Among responding OTPs, 32.4% reported using all three medications for OUD treatment; 95.8% used methadone, 61.8% used buprenorphine, and 43.9% used naltrexone. The mean (SD) number of patients currently receiving methadone was 383 (20.4), buprenorphine 51 (7.0), extended-release naltrexone 6 (1.0). Viral hepatitis testing was provided by 60.9% of OTPs, 15.3% provided hepatitis B vaccination, 14.9% provided hepatitis A vaccination, and 12.6% provided medication treatment for hepatitis C virus infection. HIV testing was provided by 60.7% of OTPs, 9.5% provided pre-exposure prophylaxis, and 8.4% provided medication treatment for HIV. OTP characteristics associated with using all three forms of medications for OUD included: providing medication for alcohol use disorder (aOR = 5.24, 95% CI:2.99–9.16), providing telemedicine services (aOR = 3.82, 95% CI:2.14–6.84), and directly providing naloxone to patients (aOR = 2.57, 95% CI:1.53–4.29). Multiple barriers to providing buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone were identified. Conclusions Efforts are needed to increase availability of all medications approved to treat OUD in OTPs, integrate infectious disease-related services, and expand the reach of OTPs in the U.S.
Versatile Physics with Liquid Xenon Dark Matter Detectors

The much-discussed neutrino floor from atmospheric neutrinos will limit the sensitivity to directly search for WIMP dark matter, but is currently still well beyond our capabilities, namely by three orders of magnitude in rate and two generations in detectors. Liquid xenon-based detectors designed to truly probe WIMPs across this parameter range are sensitive to a wide range of physics channels, ranging from dark matter to neutrino physics and touching particle physics, nuclear physics and astrophysics. This contribution puts the current state of the art into perspective and sketches the science that can be done with current and upcoming liquid xenon detectors.
Potential for Joint Public and Private Initiatives to Eliminate Deforestation from Global Supply Chains

This chapter aims to give an idea of the complexity around the global discussion about zero-deforestation. The issue of eliminating deforestation from global supply chains involves everybody—from governments in producing and consuming countries, both small and large scale agricultural producers over companies all along global supply chains, to civil society organisations and consumers. Deforestation is associated with environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem integrity, and social issues such as land conflict, environmental justice and food security. About 55–80% of global deforestation is driven by agriculture. A major share of commodities stemming from recently cleared lands is exported, also to the EU. Facing serious operational and reputational risks, many international companies have therefore committed themselves to deforestation-free supply chains. These voluntary self-commitments are usually implemented through the exclusive purchasing of commodities certified according to internationally recognised sustainability standards, among them multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). At the same time, governments of both producing and consuming countries are discussing how to frame supply chain initiatives for forest protection through policies and regulations.
Aseptic Revision Total Knee Can Be Performed as Part of a Short-Stay Arthroplasty Program: An Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is becoming an increasingly common procedure to alleviate knee pain often associated with osteoarthritis. As the number of revision TKAs performed continues to increase, there remains a debate regarding the efficacy of discharging patients earlier than the conventional 3 to 4 days in the postoperative period. A variety of studies have begun to show that interchangably discharge in the primary TKA setting has an economical benefit while causing either a reduction or no difference in patient outcomes. This study aims to determine the effect of rapid discharge at 0- to 2-day postoperative stay compared to the conventional 3- to 4-day postoperative stay on postdischarge complications in patients undergoing revision TKA. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected through the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program Database. All patients who underwent aseptic revision TKA between 2005 and 2016 were identified and stratified into groups based on length of stay: 0 to 2 days versus 3 to 4 days. Patients suffering from predischarge complications were excluded to minimize bias. Single-component versus both-component revisions were analyzed. The incidence of adverse events following discharge was evaluated with univariate and logistic multivariate analyses where appropriate. Patients who underwent single-component revisions and were discharged rapidly were less likely to develop minor complications (p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR]: 0.355; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.188-0.671) and septic complications (p = 0.016; OR: 0.011; 95% CI: 0-0.430) within the 30-day postoperative period. No differences were observed in discharge cohorts among patients undergoing both-component revisions. We found that rapid discharge following aseptic revision TKA is not associated with increased risks for postoperative complications. Rapid discharge may have benefits for healthy patients undergoing single-component revisions. Careful selection of revision TKA patients for rapid discharge may help to lower the increasing costs of the procedure and improve patient outcomes. Further study is required to refine the selection criteria to identify patients eligible for short stay or outpatient revision TKA.
Nomads, “Gypsies,” and Criminals in England and India from the Seventeenth to the Nineteenth Century

Both across Europe and India many mobile groups frequently are labeled as “Gypsy” and often are referred to as “criminals.” Employing a critical approach, this article unveils how the intersection of nomadism, the “Gypsy” label, and criminality was not a “natural” occurrence, but one that came about through legal and literary discourses that have been used systematically since the seventeenth century. The connection between nomadism and criminality has been investigated both in Europe (Mayall 1988; Lucassen 1997; Lucassen and Willems 2003; Bardi 2006; Nord 2008) and in India (Radhakrishna 2001, 2009; Piliavsky 2015). These bodies of work are valuable as they examine how criminalization of groups took place. This article builds on thisexisting scholarship, and focuses its comparative investigation on several of the dominant discourses in England and India from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. However, it is different from previous work on three accounts. First, it engages critically with the “Gypsy” label and details how this categorizationbecame connected both with nomadism and criminality. Second, it claims that the criminalization of those who move in India preceded British colonial rule. Thus, it highlights how similar forms of community criminalization took place both in England and India. Third, this article argues that both legal and literary discourses are techniques through which power operates, and therefore analyzes the development of nomadism, criminality,and the “Gypsy” label within these interconnected mediums.
Anti-Asian Hate Crime During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Reproduction of Inequality

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is believed to have emerged in Wuhan, China in late December 2019 and began rapidly spreading around the globe throughout the spring months of 2020. As COVID-19 proliferated across the United States, Asian Americans reported a surge in racially motivated hate crimes involving physical violence and harassment. Throughout history, pandemic-related health crises have been associated with the stigmatization and “othering” of people of Asian descent. Asian Americans have experienced verbal and physical violence motivated by individual-level racism and xenophobia from the time they arrived in America in the late 1700s up until the present day. At the institutional level, the state has often implicitly reinforced, encouraged, and perpetuated this violence through bigoted rhetoric and exclusionary policies. COVID-19 has enabled the spread of racism and created national insecurity, fear of foreigners, and general xenophobia, which may be related to the increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic. We examine how these crimes – situated in historically entrenched and intersecting individual-level and institutional-level racism and xenophobia – have operated to “other” Asian Americans and reproduce inequality.
A Compile-Time Framework for Tolerating Read Disturbance in STT-RAM

Spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-RAM) is one of the most promising candidates for next-generation on-chip memories. While STT-RAM offers high density, negligible leakage power, and fast access speed, it also suffers from read-disturbance errors , that is, read operations might accidentally change the value of the accessed memory location. Although these errors could be mitigated by applying restore-after-read operations, the energy overhead would be significant. To reduce such overhead, this article presents an application-level and architecture-independent framework, which selectively inserts restore operations under the guidance of a compiler. This work first introduces a new concept of disturbance chain and then analyzes the vulnerability of each load instruction on a chain to read disturbance errors. This work further proposes a number of compile-time code optimizations to reduce the number of vulnerable loads and hence the associated restore overhead. The proposed compiler optimizations are implemented in LLVM. Experiments in Gem5 show up to 98.6% reduction in the number of restore operations and 48% savings of the energy overhead while maintaining 99.8% coverage of read disturbance errors.
Differences in Multimorbidity among Cisgender Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults: Investigating Differences across Age-Groups:

Objectives: Despite increased risk for chronic disease, there is limited research that has examined disparities in multimorbidity among sexual minority adults and whether these disparities differ by age. Methods: Data were from the 2014-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We used sex-stratified multinomial logistic regression to examine differences in multimorbidity between sexual minority and heterosexual cisgender adults and whether hypothesized differences varied across age-groups. Results: The sample included 687,151 adults. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults had higher odds of meeting criteria for multimorbidity than same-sex heterosexual adults. These disparities were greater among sexual minority adults under the age of 50 years. Only other non-heterosexual men over the age of 50 years and lesbian women over the age of 80 years were less likely to have multimorbidity than their same-sex heterosexual counterparts. Discussion: Health promotion interventions to reduce adverse health outcomes among sexual minorities across the life span are needed.
Seasonal Abundance and Infectivity of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), a Vector of Xylella fastidiosa in California Vineyards

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), is a vector of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa; however, its role in recent outbreaks of Pierce's disease of grapevine (PD) in California is unclear. While the phenology and ecology of P. spumarius can help determine its contributions to PD epidemics, both remain poorly described in the North Coast vineyards of California. We assessed the phenology of P. spumarius in the region. Spittlemasses were first observed in February or March, while the emergence of adult spittlebugs did not occur until April or May depending on the year. Analysis of sweep and trap data from 2016 to 2018 revealed significant effects of survey month, vineyard site, and year on adult abundance in sweep and trap surveys. Spittlebug adults were present in the vineyards from April until December, with the greatest number of adults by sweep net in May or June, whereas adults on traps peaked between July and November. Analysis of natural infectivity in groups of field-collected spittlebug adults showed significant difference in transmission rates among months. Spittlebugs successfully transmitted Xylella fastidiosa (Wells) (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae) to potted grapevines between July and December. The greatest risk of X. fastidiosa transmission by P. spumarius was in December (60%) followed by October (30%). However, the infectivity patterns of the meadow spittlebug did not align with the historical paradigm of California North Coast PD. We discuss alternative hypotheses in which P. spumarius could play a role in the epidemiology of this disease.
Three Meta-Lessons Government and Industry Should Learn from the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster and Why They Will Not

There are many law and policy lessons to be learned from the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster and its aftermath. Some are lessons specific to the BP oil well blowout. Regrettably, Congress has failed to enact even these critical reforms, although some important regulatory reforms have been adopted. This Article focuses on three broader lessons that this disaster should also teach, but that are very unlikely to be learned; lessons that could help to reduce the risk of future disasters. These meta-lessons suggest the need to: (1) learn from the next disaster—not the last one; (2) learn from the blueprint of the disaster; and (3) learn from the context of the disaster. However, both the limited scope of the reforms undertaken in the year since the disaster and the blueprint of the disaster highlight why government and industry are unlikely to learn these broader lessons.
Revolve-Based Adjoint Checkpointing for Multistage Time Integration.

We consider adjoint checkpointing strategies that minimize the number of recomputations needed when using multistage timestepping. We demonstrate that we can improve on the seminal work based on the Revolve algorithm. The new approach provides better performance for a small number of time steps or checkpointing storage. Numerical results illustrate that the proposed algorithm can deliver up to two times speedup compared with that of Revolve and avoid recomputation completely when there is sufficient memory for checkpointing. Moreover, we discuss a tailored implementation that is arguably better suited for mature scientific computing libraries by avoiding central control assumed in the original checkpointing strategy. The proposed algorithm has been included in the PETSc library.
Importance of neural foraminal narrowing in lumbar spine fractures of low AIS severity.

OBJECTIVE In recent years, based on injuries predicted using machine learning, there have been efforts to reduce imaging performed on trauma patients. While useful, such efforts do not incorporate results from studies investigating the pathophysiology of traumatic events. The objective of this study was to identify potentially symptomatic vertebral foramen narrowing in the presence of minor to moderate (AIS ≤ 2 levels of severity) thoracolumbar fractures sustained in motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). METHODS Hospital records and images of patients admitted to a Level One trauma center between the years 2014 and 2018 with the diagnosis of thoracolumbar fracture were reviewed. Spinal injuries were scored using the AIS v2015. In addition, the geometry of the neural foramina, particularly the height of the foramina and intervertebral disk at the posterior region, were measured using reconstructed sagittal computed tomography (CT) images. The criteria for foraminal narrowing were associated with <15 mm for the foraminal height and <4 mm for the height of the posterior disk. RESULTS 24 patients with MVCs associated thoracolumbar fractures, who met both the clinical and imaging criteria for radiculopathy and foraminal narrowing without spinal cord injury, were considered for the present clinical study. 54% of the total lumbar fracture cases reported were rated as AIS 2 injuries. AIS ≥ 3 cases reported 50% narrowing of foramen, which was expected. However, it was surprising to note that the AIS 2 cases also sustained foraminal stenosis, narrowing ranging from 13% to 20%. CONCLUSIONS Low severity (AIS ≤ 2) injuries were often found to be associated with foraminal narrowing leading to clinical complaints. While the present clinical study cannot determine if narrowing existed prior to the trauma, they were certainly asymptomatic prior to the trauma. The present findings emphasize the need for detailed imaging in all instances of thoracolumbar trauma, as clinically significant nerve compression may occur even with modest vertebral body injury.
AIDS and The Response of American Religious Institutions

Religious institutions have been no different from other institutions within our society in their slow response to the AIDS epidemic, mainly because initial victims were not acceptable to the churches or society, namely, IV drug users and homosexuals. Despite this, considerable grassroots energy and personnel are committed to working with patients with AIDS (PWAs).
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Attitudes of Consumers and Business People Towards Consumerism

The attitudes of U.S. consumers and business people from Long Beach, California towards current consumerism issues were compared with those of their Swedish counterparts in Uppsala. Significant differences were found not only between the two countries, but between consumers and business people as well. The present Swedish experiment of attempting to establish marketing and production guidelines through negotiations between governmental and industry authorities was also discussed.
The development of discrimination learning: a levels--of--functioning explanation.

Publisher Summary A substantial increase in discrimination-learning efficiency between early childhood and young adulthood is demonstrated in a cross-sectional design that compares five age levels between 4 and 18 years on the optional-shift procedure. These data are consistent with the assumption of a quantifiable, longitudinal ontogeny of learning in which the rate of change decreases gradually as a power function of age. The learning ontogeny was explained by proposing two problem-solving modes. One mode is associative, incremental, and usually relatively slow; the other is cognitive and usually relatively fast. The developmental change is accounted for by assuming that the probability that a given child will respond in the cognitive mode increases gradually over age.
Computer Studies of Replacement Sequences in Solids Associated with Atomic Displacement Cascades

Focussed sequences of replacement collisions have been studied, especially in association with radiation damage cascades. Radiation damage events are simulated using a computer program based on the binary collision approximation. The results are averaged over a complete set of initial directions of the primary knock-on atom for each primary energy to obtain quantities of physical interest for which the effects of replacement sequences may be made explicit. The calculations are compared with recent experimental results.
A More Sensitive Plate Assay for Detection of Protease Production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A plate assay to measure protease production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is described. This assay is more sensitive and rapid than established methods.
Growth of the Fission Yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, with Late, Eccentric, Lytic Fission in an Unbalanced Medium

Abstract Growth of Schizosaccharomyces pombe in batch cultures in a commercial defined medium was found to be normal until the last generation before the stationary phase. Approximately one-half the progeny of the last division lysed. Lysis occurred at breaks in the cell wall at cell-plates whose fission was eccentric. Normal culture cycle patterns were obtained when the medium was balanced by addition of either 0.20 mg of l-asparagine per ml or 5.0 mg of KH2PO4 per ml, or both. The lytic effect of growth in the unbalanced medium was compared with similar effects of growth in 2-deoxyglucose. These studies with 2-deoxyglucose in the balanced medium confirmed earlier cytological observations (lysis at all growing points), but showed that the similarities were superficial.
Application of Transition-Phase Management Model for an Electronic Health Record System Implementation: A Case Study

AbstractThe implementation of an electronic health record (EHR) system requires changes in processes, which in turn requires management of the transition phase to EHR systems. EHR system implementations are composed of various subsystems that manage medical, clerical, administrative, and billing data. The complexity of an EHR implementation in each of these subsystems is affected by current organizational capabilities, the number of places it is deployed, and whether the deployments will be in series or in parallel, among other factors. This begs the question of how to determine the objective function and related strategy to conduct an EHR implementation. In this article, an evaluation of the previously-proposed transition-phase management model is presented through three different EHR process change case studies. Analysis of the adequacy and accuracy of the model is provided, and guidelines for interpretation and implementation are suggested.
Gonadal development and an indication of functional protogyny in the Indian damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

The objective of this study was to determine the sexual pattern of the Indian dascyllus Dascyllus carneus. After an initially undifferentiated state, gonads of D. carneus developed an ovarian lumen and primary growth stage oocytes, and subsequently cortical-alveolus stage oocytes. From ovaries with cortical-alveolus stage oocytes and from more developed ovaries, some gonads redifferentiated into testes. From a sample of 163 individuals, two had a gonad containing degenerating vitellogenic oocytes and proliferating spermatogenic tissue, nine had a gonad containing degenerating cortical-alveolus stage oocytes and spermatogenic tissue, and five had a gonad with degenerating primary growth stage oocytes and spermatogenic tissue. The size of these individuals overlapped greatly with the size range of mature females, suggesting that at least in some individuals, redifferentiation toward a testis occurred after spawning as females. This indicates that D. carneus is a functional, diandric protogynous hermaphrodite. Removal of a dominant male(s) did not induce a sex change in any of the ranking females in the laboratory and field groups. There was no difference in the number of chases and signal jumps performed by the ranking female between control and experimental field groups, or before and after removal of the male. However, the sizes of the ranking females were at or beyond the size range of individuals with a mixed-stage gonad, suggesting that the developmental window for female-to-male sex change may not be open ended. In 41 of 43 field groups, in which sex of fish was determined histologically or by the shape of the urogenital papilla, one to several highest size ranks were occupied by males, followed by one to several females. Mature males, however, were not limited to the highest ranks and occurred at various lower size ranks within groups. Individuals with a mixed-stage gonad also occupied various size ranks within groups.
River-derived slackwater sediments in caves along Cheat River, West Virginia

Abstract The November 1985 Cheat River flood produced overbank, slackwater deposits in caves of the Cheat River canyon. The deposits include loamy silt, loamy sand to very fine sand, and flotsam. Sediments deposited by the November 1985 flood lie within 1 m of the established high water mark and are good indicators of peak stage. Prehistoric overbank, slackwater deposits are present in one cave. These sediments are inferred to be ≥400,000 years old and are, therefore, unrelated to the modern Cheat River. Overbank slackwater deposits are poorly preserved in the examined caves, because cave streams actively remove sediments and the warm, moist environment of the caves fosters decay of woody flotsam. Deposits of the 1985 flood are projected to survive at most a few centuries. In contrast, slackwater sediments inferred to be ≥400,000 years old are preserved within a cave shielded from significant runoff and biogenic activity.
Politicization and Responsiveness in the Regional Offices of the NLRB

Societal, professional, and organizational pressures create opportunities in bureaucratic decision making for political forces to dominate policy implementation. The author examines regional decision making in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Because earlier studies examine such decision making in NLRB regional offices from 1964 to 1986, they include no critical examinations of the impact of changes in partisan control, societal attitudes, the balance of power between employers and unions, and economic stability from 1986 to 1997. The author argues that these developments create important new constraints on the level of regional staff responsiveness and accountability to political interests. Using a dynamic model, the author examines the influence of national pressures, regional environmental influences, and previous decisions by regional staffs to dismiss and by clienteles to withdraw complaints. The results show that clienteles pursue cases strategically in response to expectations of favoriti...
MR imaging of a severe cervical fracture-dislocation after traumatic delivery

We present the acute MR findings in an infant with a complicated traumatic delivery, asphyxia, spinal cord injury, and a radiographically apparent cervical spine fracture-dislocation. MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging allowed early characterization and localization of the extent of spinal cord injury.
Documentation of a Systematic Bias in the Aviation Model's Forecast of the Atlantic Tropical Upper-Tropospheric Trough: Implications for Tropical Cyclone Forecasting

Abstract This study uncovers what appears to be a systematic bias in the National Meteorological Center's aviation (AVN) model at 200 mb over the Caribbean Sea. In general, the 48-h forecast in the vicinity of the Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough (TUTT) underpredicts the magnitude of the westerly 200-mb winds on the order of 5-10 m s−1. This unrealistic weakening of the TUTT and associated cold lows by the AVN results in erroneous values of the vertical (850-200 mb) wind shear. These systematic errors are in the same order of magnitude as the minimum shear threshold for tropical cyclone genesis and development. Thus, 48-h tropical cyclone formation and intensity forecasts based upon the AVN model are often incorrect in the vicinity of the TUTT. Knowing the correct future upper-wind regime is also crucial for track forecasting of more intense tropical cyclones, especially in cases of recurvature. It is shown that simple persistence or climatology of the 200-mb winds south of a TUTT axis is superior to th...
Parallelization of Rotorcraft Aerodynamics Navier -Stokes Codes

The modie cation of unsteady three-dimensional Navier ‐Stokes codes for application on massively parallel and distributed computing environments is investigated. Previously, theEulermode of theNavier ‐Stokescode TURNS hasbeenparallelized. Fortheefe cientimplementation oftheNavier ‐StokesmodeofTURNS onparallelcomputing systems, several algorithmic changes should be made. The main modie cation is done on the implicit operator, lower‐upper symmetric Gauss ‐Seidel. Two new implicit operators are used because of convergence problems of traditional operators with high cell aspect ratio grids needed for viscous calculations. Results for Navier ‐Stokes cases are presented for various operators. The message passing interface protocol is used because of its portability to various parallel architectures. Nomenclature a = speed of sound e = total energy p = pressure Pr = Prandtl number Re = Reynolds number u;v;w = Cartesian velocities x; y;z = Cartesian coordinates ° = specie c heat ratio π = dynamic viscosity »;´;‡ = generalized coordinates Ω = density 9 = rotor azimuth angle
A new method for the fluorometric determination of micro quantities of citrate

An extremely sensitive fluorometric procedure has been developed for the micro determination of citrate in various types of samples, based on the quenching effect of citrate on the fluorescence at 450 nm of the tungstate-flavanol complex. The calibration curve is linear in the 0 to 200 ppb range of citrate. With a slight modification of the method, citrate may be analyzed in the 0 to 5 ppm concentration range.
Examining the relative influence of upper echelons ties on IPO underpricing

Integrating signaling theory with insights derived from the attention based view, this study addresses the question of which types of upper echelons ties initial public offering (IPO) markets value more. Specifically, we argue that the signals conveyed by upper echelons ties with publicly traded firms are perceived by IPO equity markets as more valuable than upper echelons ties with privately held firms. Additionally, we contend that the signals sent by external directorates with publicly traded firms are perceived more favorably by IPO equity markets than managerial ties with publicly traded firms. The theory in this study is tested on a sample of 366 firms than underwent their IPOs during 1997. The results of hypothesis tests provide partial support for our arguments.
k-Part splittings and operator parameter overrelaxation

Abstract This paper proceeds in two directions of attack for finding (iteratively) solutions for linear systems on Hilbert space. First, we consider scalar-dependent Overrelaxation as a special case of operator-dependent overrelaxations. Secondly, we study “finer” splittings than the conventional two-part splittings and show where, in some cases, these new splittings can either accelerate convergence of approximating sequences derived from two-part splittings or else turn divergent sequences into convergent ones.