cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Instrument Development, Study Design Implementation, and Survey Conduct for the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

The National Opinion Research Center, led by a team of investigators at the University of Chicago, conducted more than 3,000 in-person interviews with a nationally representative sample of adults aged 57–85 years. Data collection included in-person questionnaire items, an extensive array of biomeasures, and a postinterview self-administered questionnaire. The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) interview included the collection of 13 biomeasures: weight, waist circumference, height, blood pressure, smell, saliva collection, taste, a self-administered vaginal swab for female respondents, “Get Up and Go,” distance vision, touch, oral mucosal transudate (Orasure®) human immunodeficiency virus test, and blood spots. This article discusses the development of NSHAP’s instruments and implementation of the study design. Measures, such as response and cooperation rates, are also provided to evaluate the effectiveness of the design and implementation.
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema associated with protamine administration during coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Protamine sulfate is the only agent approved to reverse heparin-induced anticoagulation. As with any other drug, protamine has the potential to cause adverse effects that range from mild hypotension to potentially fatal events, such as noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) and catastrophic pulmonary vasoconstriction. We report a case of NCPE after the administration of protamine to a patient undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery and discuss the diagnosis and management of this severe adverse event.
Degradation of polysaccharides by intestinal bacterial enzymes

Polysaccharides with structures resembling components of dietary fiber were fermented by a number of species of anaerobic bacteria from the human colon. Some strains also fermented glycoprotein mucins. The strains that fermented the widest range of polysaccharide substrates were in the two genera Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium. Polysaccharide degrading enzymes from several Bacteroides species have been studied, and in most cases the enzyme activities were cell bound rather than extracellular. In all cases, the polysaccharide degrading enzymes were inducible rather than constitutive. Thus the metabolic activity of the flora could be altered considerably by the amount and type of fiber in the diet, even though the composition of the flora itself remained unchanged. The products of enzyme action included monosaccharides and oligosaccharides of varying chain lengths.
Polyclonal B Cell Activation in Lupus-prone Mice Precedes and Predicts the Development of Autoimmune Disease

Polyclonal B cell activation is an early feature of autoimmune disease in humans and mice with systemic lupus erythematosus. The contribution of polyclonal activation to the progression of autoimmunity is unclear, however, since it precedes the development of end-organ damage by months or years. To examine this issue, 109 autoimmune-prone (NZB X NZW)F1 X NZB backcross mice were hemi-splenectomized at 10 wk and the number and antigenic specificity of their Ig-secreting B cells quantitated by ELISA spot assay. Of the 61 mice that had polyclonally increased numbers of Ig-secreting cells/spleen, 31 died by 6 mo. In contrast, 0/48 backcross mice with normal numbers of Ig-secreting B cells at 10 wk died over the same period (P less than 0.001). Polyclonally activated mice also developed proteinuria earlier and more frequently than littermates with normal numbers of Ig-secreting cells (P less than 0.001). As adults, backcross mice with proteinuria expressed repertoires skewed towards the production of anti-DNA antibodies. At 10 wk these same mice expressed repertoires marked by polyclonal activation rather than preferential anti-DNA production. These findings indicate that autoimmune disease in SLE is accompanied by the autoantigen-driven production of autoantibodies but is preceded and predicted by polyclonal B cell activation.
Effects of Dietary Sodium Fluoride on Dairy Cows. VII. Recovery from Fluoride Ingestion

Summary Dairy cows previously exposed to 1.2, 1.4, or 2.0 mg F/Kg body weight for 4 yr were given a normal dairy ration for 2 yr, and their responses observed. During this period, these animals mobilized and excreted a portion of their skeletal fluoride load. However, the majority of the body fluoride remained and there was no apparent improvement in dental or bone lesions. The data available fail to show an improvement of the physiological responses of the animals during the recovery period.
Pachydermoperiostosis: A Rare Cause of Marked Blepharoptosis and Floppy Eyelid Syndrome

A 34-year-old African-American man was referred for eyelid swelling and ocular discomfort. He was found to have floppy hypertrophic eyelids and marked bilateral mechanical ptosis that was present since childhood. Systemic examination was significant for furrows on his forehead and scalp, coarse facial features, and enlarged hands and feet with clubbing of the fingers and toes. Radiographic imaging of the long bones demonstrated periostosis, and MRI of the head revealed a pituitary macroadenoma. Pituitary and thyroid hormone levels were normal. The patient was diagnosed with pachydermoperiostosis and a non-secreting pituitary macroadenoma. Bilateral upper lid tightening via wedge resection was followed by bilateral external levator advancement ptosis repair in a staged manner. The patient achieved symptom relief and improved lid position postoperatively.
Toluene 3-Monooxygenase of Ralstonia pickettii PKO1 Is a para-Hydroxylating Enzyme

Oxygenases are promising biocatalysts for performing selective hydroxylations not accessible by chemical methods. Whereas toluene 4-monooxygenase (T4MO) of Pseudomonas mendocina KR1 hydroxylates monosubstituted benzenes at the para position and toluene ortho-monooxygenase (TOM) of Burkholderia cepacia G4 hydroxylates at the ortho position, toluene 3-monooxygenase (T3MO) of Ralstonia pickettii PKO1 was reported previously to hydroxylate toluene at the meta position, producing primarily m-cresol (R. H. Olsen, J. J. Kukor, and B. Kaphammer, J. Bacteriol. 176:3749-3756, 1994). Using gas chromatography, we have discovered that T3MO hydroxylates monosubstituted benzenes predominantly at the para position. TG1/pBS(Kan)T3MO cells expressing T3MO oxidized toluene at a maximal rate of 11.5 ± 0.33 nmol/min/mg of protein with an apparent Km value of 250 μM and produced 90% p-cresol and 10% m-cresol. This product mixture was successively transformed to 4-methylcatechol. T4MO, in comparison, produces 97% p-cresol and 3% m-cresol. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 harboring pRO1966 (the original T3MO-bearing plasmid) also exhibited the same product distribution as that of TG1/pBS(Kan)T3MO. TG1/pBS(Kan)T3MO produced 66% p-nitrophenol and 34% m-nitrophenol from nitrobenzene and 100% p-methoxyphenol from methoxybenzene, as well as 62% 1-naphthol and 38% 2-naphthol from naphthalene; similar results were found with TG1/pBS(Kan)T4MO. Sequencing of the tbu locus from pBS(Kan)T3MO and pRO1966 revealed complete identity between the two, thus eliminating any possible cloning errors. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis confirmed the structural identity of p-cresol in samples containing the product of hydroxylation of toluene by pBS(Kan)T3MO.
THE US CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT: A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF PRIVATE SAVING

The large recent US current account deficits have been the subject of an enormous amount of study in academia, among government and central bank economists, in business economic reports, and in the press. Many different explanations of the cause of the deficit have been offered, and to varying degrees we believe that all may have played a role: low private saving in the US; large public-sector budget deficits; a ‘glut’ of savings in the rest of world; and, perhaps even a misalignment of nominal exchange rates. In this paper we explore the role of one other factor that also has been mentioned prominently: private saving in the US is low because income growth is expected to be strong. We rework the standard neoclassical two-country model to show how a country will be a net borrower when its future share of world GDP is expected to increase above its current share. Our research ultimately is motivated by the question of whether the US current account is ‘sustainable’. The way we approach the question is to see whether the high level of US spending currently is compatible with an optimal path of borrowing. In particular, what assumptions about expected future growth of the US’s share of world output could justify its current account deficit? We show that if the deficit can be explained by higher future income shares, then the size of the real depreciation, that may otherwise be required to reduce the deficit, may be quite small.
11. Econometric Models and Forecasting

While modeling and forecasting hove a long history, most would agree that modern econometric modeling had its origins in the 1920s in connection with regression models utilized in analyzing demand and supply problems
Are All Experiences of Fit Created Equal? The Roles of Strength Of Engagement and Feeling Right in Determining Consumers Evaluations

This article examines how the “feeling right” experience and “strength of engagement” influence evaluations. More specifically it investigates the conditions under which regulatory fit creates a feeling right experience as compared to an increase in strength of engagement. Across four studies and two consumer domains, feeling right was found to mediate between the experience of regulatory fit and evaluation under low involvement while strength of engagement was found to be a mediator under high involvement. The mediation of the experience of feeling right was found to increase the positivity of evaluative reactions while the mediation of strength of engagement was found to intensify evaluative reactions. These results suggest that regulatory fit can affect evaluative reactions differently depending on the type of processing that is taking place. When a more superficial processing is taking place (under low involvement) regulatory fit affects evaluations through feeling right while when a more thorough processing is taking place (under high involvement) regulatory fit affects evaluations through strength of engagement.
Does Trading Affect Banks’ Role as Liquidity Providers?

Allowing banks to trade is considered risky. We show instead that cash flows from trading activities can help banks hedge liquidity risk. For the bank sector, cash flows from lending activities are procyclical, while cash flows from trading activities are countercyclical. For individual banks, there is variation in the extent to which trading coinsures lending operations. We find that banks with better coinsurance, on average, have higher credit supply, higher profits, and lower measures of financial constraints. Our study contributes to the contemporary debate on bank regulation by highlighting a novel channel through which banks' non-core activities impact traditional lending policies.
Progress in small molecule and biologic therapeutics targeting ghrelin signaling

Ghrelin is a circulating peptide hormone involved in regulation of a wide array of physiological processes. As an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR1a), ghrelin is responsible for signaling involved in energy homeostasis, including appetite stimulation, glucose metabolism, insulin signaling, and adiposity. Ghrelin has also been implicated in modulation of several neurological processes. Dysregulation of ghrelin signaling is implicated in diseases related to these pathways, including obesity, type II diabetes, and regulation of appetite and body weight in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome. Multiple steps in the ghrelin signaling pathway are available for targeting in the development of therapeutics for these diseases. Agonists and antagonists of GHS-R1a have been widely studied and have shown varying levels of effectiveness within ghrelin-related physiological pathways. Agents targeting ghrelin directly, either through depletion of ghrelin levels in circulation or inhibitors of ghrelin O-acyltransferase whose action is required for ghrelin to become biologically active, are receiving increasing attention as potential therapeutic options. We discuss the approaches utilized to target ghrelin signaling and highlight the current challenges toward developing small-molecule agents as potential therapeutics for ghrelin-related diseases.
A directed search for quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 4 and 7 in pigs

Improvements in the porcine genetic map and availability of resource families to study performance traits in pigs have made it possible to re-examine previous findings that linked certain traits to genes or chromosomal regions. Previous studies suggested that chromosomes 4 and 7 may be associated with growth and performance traits. To confirm these previous results, an interval mapping-regression approach was used to determine whether quantitative trait loci (QTL) exist in the Iowa State University reference/resource families. Traits measured were birth weight; body weight at 21 d; weaning weight (weight at 42 d); average daily gain; backfat at the first, 10th, lumbar, and last ribs and average backfat thickness; loin eye area; meat color; marbling; and firmness. The total number of F2 pigs used ranged from 241 to 330 and came from five Chinese x American resource families. Five markers (S0001, SW871, S0175, S0214, and SW445) were genotyped and mapped on chromosome 4, and so were 10 markers (S0064, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha], S0102, S0078, S0158, S0066, SW304, SW1083, S0101, and S0212) on chromosome 7. Data were analyzed for each family (breed cross) separately and were also pooled. Experiment-wise thresholds were used to determine significance. Suggestive evidence of QTL on chromosomes 4 and 7 was observed for several traits in pooled and individual family analyses. Suggestive evidence of a QTL with a relatively large effect for average daily gain was detected on chromosome 4 in the pooled analysis. Significant (P < .05) evidence for QTL was seen on chromosome 7 for 10th-rib, last-rib, and average backfat thickness in the pooled data set in a region of the chromosome that was near TNFalpha. These results verify in part that chromosomes 4 and 7 contain QTL for growth and carcass traits.
Metal contacts on physical vapor deposited monolayer MoS2

The understanding of the metal and transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) interface is critical for future electronic device technologies based on this new class of two-dimensional semiconductors. Here, we investigate the initial growth of nanometer-thick Pd, Au, and Ag films on monolayer MoS2. Distinct growth morphologies are identified by atomic force microscopy: Pd forms a uniform contact, Au clusters into nanostructures, and Ag forms randomly distributed islands on MoS2. The formation of these different interfaces is elucidated by large-scale spin-polarized density functional theory calculations. Using Raman spectroscopy, we find that the interface homogeneity shows characteristic Raman shifts in E2g1 and A1g modes. Interestingly, we show that insertion of graphene between metal and MoS2 can effectively decouple MoS2 from the perturbations imparted by metal contacts (e.g., strain), while maintaining an effective electronic coupling between metal contact and MoS2, suggesting that graphene can act as a c...
Sensitivity limit of rapidly swept continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy.

The averaged transmitted intensity of a cavity excited by a linearly frequency swept laser with finite line width is derived and presented as a sum over passes, analytical integrals (where the sum of passes is converted to a continuous time variable), and an approximate but computationally more stable stationary phase approximation expression. The transmitted waveform is used to derive the bias in extraction of the cavity decay rate from such a cavity transient for three different fitting models. Numerical simulation of cavity excitation gives statistical fluctuations in the transmitted intensity that leads to noise in the cavity decay rate. For a range of parameters spanning those likely to be encountered in real experiments, numerical results are presented. These demonstrate that the theoretical signal-to-noise ratio and thus sensitivity of swept cavity (or equivalently, frequency) CRDS is substantially below that for CRDS where one attenuates the laser either with current modulation or with an external...
First-Principles Study and Model of Dielectric Functions of Silver Nanoparticles

Dielectric functions of ultrafine silver nanoparticles with up to 586 atoms are computed using the density functional theory. A two-dimensional diagram method is developed to analyze the electronic transitions. It is found that the transitions can be categorized into intraband and interband. An analytical formulation is established for the imaginary part of the dielectric function arising from the intraband transitions by a statistical approach. The established semiempirical model is a unified one that allows prediction of dielectric functions covering all particle sizes. According to the model, the intraband transition approaches that in bulk materials for particles with a size larger than 10−20 nm depending on the wavelengths. The size effect for the interband transitions on the dielectric function is also investigated, and a faster convergence to the bulk behavior is observed.
The Genesis of David Garrick’s Romeo and Juliet

DAVID GARRICK's 1750 PRODUCTION OF Romeo and Juliet at Drury Lane attracted much attention of the Town at the time and has attracted many scholars since.' Garrick had provided London with a better Romeo and Juliet two years before, but that has been almost completely overlooked. The circumstances of the 1750 production were spectacular. Spranger Barry and Susanna Cibber had defected to Covent Garden, and Garrick boldly met the challenge head on: when it became apparent that John Rich would stage Romeo and Juliet at Covent Garden, capitalizing on the suitability and previous success of Barry and Cibber in the lead roles, Garrick resolved to do the part of Romeo himself, with young George Anne Bellamy as his Juliet. The consequent battle confined London to an exclusive diet of Romeo and Juliet from the 28th of September until Covent Garden faltered and played The Beggar's Opera on the 12th of October.2 Although Shakespeare's original play had been revived in 1662, it was displaced by Thomas Otway's History and Fall of Caius Marius (1679), which interpolated great chunks of Romeo and Juliet into a new plot drawn from North's Plutarch. The love story of Marius Junior and Lavinia is subordinated in the beginning to the political and military struggle between Marius Senior and Metellus (Lavinia's father), but assumes a dominant part as the play progresses. Although Otway was criticized for his rather expedient borrowing (readily acknowledged in his Prologue), he blended the material with some skill, and his play has effective passages beyond Shakespeare's borrowed glory. It continued to be acted in the first three decades of the eighteenth century, one or two performances in most seasons through 1727, the final performance coming in 1735 with Theophilus Cibber's eccentric sister, Mrs. Charlotte Charke, playing Marius Junior as a trousers role.3 In those years Romeo and Juliet was not performed.
Double minute chromosomes and c-MYC amplification in a child with secondary myelodysplastic syndrome after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Double minute chromosomes and c-MYC amplification in a child with secondary myelodysplastic syndrome after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Two-versus three-sample method for estimating gentamicin pharmacokinetic values

The performances of two-sample and three-sample methods for estimating gentamicin pharmacokinetic values were studied. The medical records of patients who had received a gentamicin dosage consultation at a Veterans Affairs medical center between June 1989 and May 1991 were reviewed. For each patient, the pharmacokinetics service had prospectively used three serum gentamicin concentrations (SGCs) determined from three blood samples taken during an initial gentamicin regimen to estimate gentamicin pharmacokinetic values and determine the alternative would achieve the desired SGCs. In the two-sample method, the authors retrospectively used the initial peak and trough SGCs determined from two blood samples to estimate pharmacokinetic values and establish an alternative regimen. The two methods were evaluated by comparing their results with each other and with the actual pharmacokinetic values determined from SGCs measured during the subsequent gentamicin regimen. A total of 27 patients (all men; mean age, 62 years) were included in the study. The two-sample and three-sample methods differed significantly in their estimates of elimination rate constant and half-life but not clearance, volume of distribution, or the daily dose needed to achieve the intended SGCs. Neither method produced estimates that differed significantly from the actual pharmacokinetic values. The three-sample method was less biased than the two-sample method in the prediction of trough SGCs. In middle-aged and elderly men, a two-sample method and a three-sample method of estimating gentamicin pharmacokinetics differed significantly only in the prediction of trough SGCs. The difference was probably not clinically important.
Structure of amorphous films

This chapter discusses the main techniques for measuring the density of defect states, which are electron spin resonance (ESR), photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS), and constant photocurrent measurement (CPM). ESR measures the total density of neutral dangling bonds (D°) from surface and bulk states, PDS measures not only D°, but also charged states from surface and bulk and CPM is relatively insensitive to surface states for thicknesses > 1μm. Amorphous carbon has one additional type of defect not present in the amorphous silicon and germanium materials. This defect is the degree of non-tetrahedral bonding, as measured by the spZ/sp 3 ratio. The major factor limiting the properties of amorphous semiconductors is the density of defects in the energy gap. Usually, the lower this density the better are the properties. The chapter also describes chalcogenides, which are materials containing the elements sulfur, selenium and tellurium, such as AszSe3, which are in the form of glasses. These materials were first used in the xerographic process of cowing and also exhibit a variety of photo-induced effects including structural changes, darkening, phase changes, birefringence, etc. Amorphous oxides are thin film oxides, which mainly find application as gate insulators.
Abstract 2518: Crosstalk between stem and non-stem cells in glioblastoma promotes radioresistance in a CD109-dependent manner

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain tumor that contains cancer stem cells that are bestowed with tumor initiating and treatment resistant properties. Patient-derived glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) that resemble the clinically relevant MES subtype harbor more aggressive and therapy resistant properties. Here we report that exposure of GSCs to ionizing radiation (IR) provokes inter-cellular signals from therapy-induced senescent non-stem cancer cells to stimulate compensatory growth in cancer stem cells resulting in persistent transcriptomic and phenotypic shift toward a more MES subtype. This IR-induced gain of MES features in GSCs is accompanied by conversion of CD133+ stem cell populations to CD133- /CD109+ cells. In both de novo and IR-induced MES GSCs, CD109+, but not CD109- populations are highly tumorigenic and multipotent in vivo. Inhibition of CD109 attenuates clonogenicity and radioresistance in MES GSCs GBM. Clinically, CD109 expression is significantly associated with the MES GBMs and poorer prognosis of GBM patients. Taken together, our data imply that radiation of GSCs induces direct transformation of cancer stem cells to the MES subtype accompanied by a loss of the widely adopted stem cell marker CD133 and a gain of a novel, tumor propagating, and clinically relevant MES stem cell marker, CD109. Citation Format: Mutsuko Minata, Ichiro Nakano, Sunghak Kim, Marat PavliuKov, Jia Wang, Svetlana Komarova, Jun Wang. Crosstalk between stem and non-stem cells in glioblastoma promotes radioresistance in a CD109-dependent manner. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2518.
Optical coherence tomography based microangiography as a non-invasive imaging modality for early detection of choroido-neovascular membrane in choroidal rupture

Introduction To evaluate and identify early microvascular changes in patient with choroidal rupture using optical coherence tomography (OCT) based microangiography (OMAG).
Pulmonary suctioning: Quality process and performance indicators

S of oral and pulmonary secretions is a common procedure performed daily across patient care areas and settings. The purpose of pulmonary suctioning is to remove secretions in the oral cavity, tracheal, and bronchial areas to improve gas exchange. The focus of this presentation is on quality pulmonary secretion recovery and removal to optimize patient comfort, satisfaction, and oxygenation. Quality in suctioning is a concept that can be transitioned to the bedside and adopted in practice by considering the patient (characteristics and clinical conditions), the process (suctioning practice standards, evidenced based practice guidelines, and equipment function), and performance indicators such as health outcomes (morbidity, secretion recovery, patient satisfaction, and improved airway oxygenation). Adopting Donabedian’s Quality Framework related to structure, process, and outcomes can guide the improvement of quality in suctioning and secretion recovery. Various questions posed in the clinical setting will be addressed. How quality of suctioning is assessed and measured? What are associated patient outcomes of a quality suctioning event? How do you determine effective suctioning pressure? What is infection control and quality control of suctioning equipment? Pam O’Neal, J Nurs Care 2013, 2:3 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2167-1168.S1.002
A framework for P2P networking of smart devices using Wi-Fi direct

The use of smart portable devices has become very popular in the society nowadays. Many of these devices are equipped with sensors that can provide a wealth of information about the surroundings once their readings are aggregated. These capabilities have fueled interest in employing these devices in emerging unconventional applications such as crowdsourcing and vehicular networking, where sensors data is shared for better situational awareness, managing road congestion, coordinating disaster recovery, criminals hunting, etc. Internetworking of collocated devices in these applications enables aggregation of sensor readings and decreasing the demand on the carrier's communication resources, which translate to lower cost, better bandwidth utilization and increased user participation. Wi-Fi Direct is one of the most promising peer-to-peer technologies that can enable such local internetworking of devices. Wi-Fi Direct transceivers are available on almost all new smart devices. However, the software support for Wi-Fi Direct is quite limited. This paper highlights limitations in Android based platforms and presents a framework for supporting formation and management of groups of communicating devices. The proposed framework is validated through the implementation of a chat application over multiple Android based devices.
Spatial Ecology and Survival of Swainson's Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) in the Northern Great Plains

Abstract In recent years, anthropogenic conversion of grassland habitat has raised concerns about the status of breeding Swainson's Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) in the northern Great Plains region of North America. During 2013–2014, we captured breeding Swainson's Hawks in north-central South Dakota and south-central North Dakota to estimate home-range size, determine adult survival rates during the breeding season, and evaluate habitat selection. We captured, radio-tagged, and monitored 13 Swainson's Hawks in 2013, and captured two additional Swainson's Hawks in 2014. In 2014, seven of 13 individuals initially captured in 2013 returned to the same breeding territory for the 2014 breeding season. Average 95% MCP home-range size in 2013 was 205.4 ha (SD = 135.3 ha, n = 10) and 211.1 ha (SD = 208.8 ha, n = 9) in 2014, and size did not differ between years (t13 = 0.07, P = 0.95), averaging 208.3 ha (SD = 244.9 ha, n = 19 home ranges measured for 12 birds) for the 2 yr of the study. Mean core home-range size (50% ...
Total Rewards Compensation: A Viable Solution

TOTAL REWARDS COMPENSATION: A VIABLE SOLUTION by Smith, Patrick Wesley Dr. Carl Braunlich, Committee Chair Associate Professor of Hospitality Administration University of Nevada, Las Vegas Total rewards customer loyalty programs represent a viable solution for domestic gaming operators in today’s current economic environment. Total rewards customer loyalty programs provide domestic gaming operators with an unparalleled tool in understanding, identifying, and realizing their customer’s desires. The design of total rewards customer loyalty programs provides domestic gaming operators with the ability to remain fluid and allows quick adaptation to ever changing market conditions. Research suggests that total rewards customer loyalty programs provide domestic gaming operators with a viable financial solution that provides equitable value to customers alike. This paper will analyze the structure of customer loyalty programs by defining and examining its components. This paper will also identify and establish parameters necessary for domestic gaming operators to achieve a successful total rewards customer loyalty program. Finally, this paper will recommend that under current economic conditions that domestic gaming operators invest in the development of total rewards customer loyalty programs in order to drive customer retention and add to financial bottom line.
Robust nonlinear control of nonsquare multivarlable systems

Abstract In this paper, a nonlinear controller is designed in the Input/Output (I/O) linearization framework, for non-square multivariable nonlinear systems that are subject to parametric uncertainty. A non linear state feedback is synthesized that approximately linearizes the system in an I/O sense by solving a convex optimization problem online. A robust controller is designed for the linear uncertain subsystem using a multi-objective H2/H∞ synthesis approach to ensure robust stability and performance of nons quare multivariable, nonlinear systems. This methodology is illustrated via simulation of a regulation problem in a continuous stirred tank reactor.
Utility of intraoperative imaging in cochlear implantation: A systematic review.

Background Many institutions routinely perform intraoperative imaging during cochlear implant (CI) surgery to determine accurate electrode placement. Different modalities exist; however, there remains some controversy regarding the usefulness of intraoperative imaging. Objective Systematically review the utility of intraoperative imaging in CI surgery and implications for management. Methods PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane library were searched from inception to April 2017. Studies analyzing the use of intraoperative imaging during CI surgery were included. Outcome measures included unsatisfactory placement and change in management. Two independent evaluators reviewed each abstract and article. Results Two hundred and sixty-seven articles were identified. Of those, 17 met inclusion criteria. There were no randomized controlled trials. Intraoperative X-rays were performed in 917 CIs in eight studies. Placement was unsatisfactory on radiograph in 19 implants (3.5%), and management was changed in 18 of 19 (94.7%). Intraoperative computed tomography (CT) was performed in 69 CIs in seven studies. Placement was unsatisfactory on CT in two implants (3.0%), and management was changed in both (100%). Intraoperative real-time fluoroscopy was performed in 20 CIs in two studies to help guide correct placement. Twenty-two of these patients had abnormal cochleas. Fifteen out of 17 studies concluded that intraoperative imaging is useful, especially with challenging anatomy or when the surgeon questions placement. Conclusion Intraoperative imaging detects unsatisfactory placement of electrodes during CI surgery at a low, but not negligible, rate. The current literature is not conclusive regarding the utility of routine imaging, but it appears to be most useful with abnormal cochlear anatomy or when the surgeon questions placement. Level of Evidence NA. Laryngoscope, 2017
Elastic rod dynamics: Validation of a real-time implicit approach

The large dynamic deflections of continuum robots, soft robots, and slender elastic objects can be accurately modeled with classical rod theories in nonlinear elasticity. In this paper, we propose a real-time computational approach for solving the partial differential equations of a dynamic Kirchhoff rod. Our approach is based on implicit time discretization of the Kirchhoff equations and subsequent solution of the resulting continuous spatial boundary value problem at each time step. This modular approach can exhibit low numerical damping, handle arbitrarily large time steps, and provide an accurate, high-order representation of the rod shape in steady-state. We experimentally validated the method by capturing footage of a dynamic rod with a high speed camera and comparing this experimental data with simulations using the proposed approach. Soft-real-time performance is achieved, and the relationship between time step and real-time performance is explored in a plot.
Poem with a Quote from Ross Macdonald

Morning. Today, on the planet, a rag-colored cat falls into its Ninth life and huddles, just like a man in his Only, shivering skin a little. It's green out. The sun unfolds like a Japanese fan. A tree will rise in spirit, joyously, but first it needs the cut and the burning. Somewhere today the two rings of a marriage stare like a walleyed face in its opposite directions. Somewhere a little happiness sparks from two chipped flints, where's tinder? quick! It's blue out. A tree wiU rise in spirit. A soul just needs: a wound; a mood: a hurt?then there's ascension, and long content. A factory somewhere whistles and its shifts switch?or was it a rooster over two rows of egg hens? Blonde aunt in a cab. ?Her roots, like those of the forest, are darker. A phone, like a tree, will age in rings. It's amethyst out. There's a soul, and there's a peaceful place, and there's a mind; it only requires this small stab first, a what-was-said-over-breakfast. The planet, held in its equinoxes as if in tongs. The day, it's rose out, it's manganese. A tree will go to axe, to match, and so be released. There's good out, reaUy. Believe me, it's for the best. Today a tree wiU faU. A marriage ages in rings. The little ethereal survives, I know. A cherry. A wine. Today on the planet: a border war; the poplars slicing sun like French chefs at buttery leeks; a truck overturned; a kiss and behind the car ten tin cans dragged on strings like jangling phone communication the newly weds ignore; a tree, a noise, a calm stretch. "If she said it often enough, it would have to come true." Just a cut, just a burn, the day's everything, then the long content, I promise.
Notes on translations of the East Asian records relating to the supernova of AD 1054

The East Asian records of the ‘guest star’ of 1054 that produced the Crab Nebula have been re-evaluated more than once during the past decade. Although some of the apparent inconsistencies in the records have now been addressed, doubts about the reported position of the supernova still persist. The published translations of the records, moreover, are still unsatisfactory in certain respects. Here I offer corrections to the translations of several records, present a previously-unreported contemporaneous account of the guest star, and suggest an explanation of why the Song Dynasty astronomers erroneously placed SN1054 southeast of ! Tau.
Municipal Energy Benchmarking Legislation for Commercial Buildings: You Can't Manage What You Don't Measure

Across the United States, the energy used to power commercial buildings represents a sizeable portion of overall energy consumption and resulting greenhouse gas emissions. Until recently, building owners and managers did not have an easy way to compare the efficiency of their buildings. Through the ENERGY STAR program, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy created a tool to evaluate a building’s relative efficiency, a process called benchmarking. Recently, a growing number of cities have passed legislation requiring commercial building owners to track energy performance, as a way to help the cities meet their own climate goals. This Note examines three cities’ benchmarking legislation amidst the complex web of energy regulatory authority at the local, state, and federal levels and suggests that a successful energy benchmarking program must carefully coordinate with state regulators and local utility companies.
Relative Predispositional Effect of a PADPRP Marker Allele in B-Cell and Some Non B-Cell Malignancies

The gene PADPRP codes for a nuclear enzyme Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. This enzyme is a DNA binding protein that modulates chromatin structure adjacent to DNA strand breaks (Smulson and Sugimura 1980). The polymerase catalyzes the transfer of the ADP-ribose moiety of NAD to a variety of nuclear proteins and to itself, such that a long chain of ADP-ribose units attached to nuclear proteins is formed. The enzyme also functions as one of the major acceptors for poly ADP-ribose. The principal clue to the cellular function of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase arises from the observation that the catalytic activity of the enzyme is obligately dependant upon the presence of DNA breaks, both in vivo and in vitro. It has hence been implicated in playing a role in DNA repair (Benjamin and Gill 1980), perhaps stabilizing the broken ends of DNA strands.
Dental management of the child with developmental dyslexia.

Dyslexia, a biologically determined reading disorder effects an estimated 3 percent to 10 percent of school-age children in the United States. Standard pediatric dental protocols frequently have to be modified because many of these children concurrently suffer attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), asthma, thyroiditis and inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease). Youngsters suffering from dyslexia and ADHD should have their dental appointments scheduled in the morning when they are most attentive and best able to remain seated in the dental chair. An aspirating dental syringe must be used in order to avoid an intravascular injection and the possibility of an adverse interaction between the pressor agents used with local anesthesia and the medication used to treat ADHD. Aspirin, other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (e.g., ibuprofen) and local anesthetic agents containing vasoconstrictor and preservative (antioxidants, i.e., sulfite) agents should be avoided in children with concurrent asthma because of their propensity to trigger an asthmatic attack. Children with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism should receive only emergency care and this care should be provided in a hospital. Children with hypothyroidism are hyperresponsive to even small dosages of analgesics and anesthetic agents; proper dosing and venue of dental procedures should be a joint decision between the child's dentist and pediatrician. Children with dyslexia and concurrent inflammatory bowel disease may require shorter appointments and nitrous oxide sedation to reduce stress. Those receiving corticosteroids or with a history of steroid therapy within the past year may need supplementation to avoid an adrenal crisis brought about by the stress of dental care.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Simultaneous Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Young Adult Drinkers: Age-Specific Changes in Prevalence from 1977 to 2016.

Background The overall prevalence of U.S. young adult alcohol use has decreased, but little is known about historical change in related behaviors such as simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use that may increase alcohol-related risks and societal costs. The purpose of this paper was to examine historical change in SAM use prevalence among U.S. young adult alcohol users from 1977 to 2016, and consider the extent to which observed historical change in SAM use among alcohol users reflects co-occurring change in marijuana use during these years. Methods Data on past 12-month alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use at up to 6 modal ages (19/20, 21/22, 23/24, 25/26, 27/28, and 29/30) were collected from 11,789 individuals (45.0% men) participating in the Monitoring the Future panel study. Annual prevalence estimates within modal age group were obtained; historical SAM use trends among alcohol and marijuana users were estimated. Results From 2014 to 2016, SAM use was reported by approximately 30% of alcohol users aged 19/20 and 21/22, and 20 to 25% of alcohol users aged 23/24 through 29/30. Since the mid-1990s, age-specific historical trends in SAM use prevalence among alcohol users followed 1 of 4 patterns: significant increase followed by oscillating increases/decreases (at modal age 19/20), consistent and significant increases (at modal ages 21/22, 23/24, and 25/26), stability followed by increase (at modal ages 27/28), or stability (at modal ages 29/30). In contrast, SAM use trends among marijuana users primarily reflected stability, with some evidence of a decrease across time at modal ages 19/20 and 23/24. Historical change in SAM prevalence among alcohol users was strongly and positively correlated with changes in overall marijuana use prevalence. Conclusions A growing proportion of early and mid-young adult alcohol users reported SAM use, with the highest risk among those in the early years of young adulthood. Young adult SAM use may continue to increase in proportion to the degree that young adult marijuana use continues to increase.
Persistence of false paradigms in low-power sciences

We develop a model describing how false paradigms may persist, hindering scientific progress. The model features two paradigms, one describing reality better than the other. Tenured scientists display homophily: They favor tenure candidates who adhere to their paradigm. As in statistics, power is the probability (absent any bias) of denying tenure to scientists adhering to the false paradigm. The model shows that because of homophily, when power is low, the false paradigm may prevail. Then, only an increase in power can ignite convergence to the true paradigm. Historical case studies suggest that low power comes either from lack of empirical evidence or from reluctance to base tenure decisions on available evidence.
Information Technology, Privacy, and the Public Good:

Marketers need to be concerned about the growing public uneasiness over the effect of information technology on privacy and in turn society's willingness to respond to survey requests. They also ne...
Rectal cancer recurrence in relation to pathologic margin.

e14645 Background: The therapeutic approach to rectal cancer has evolved with neoadjuvant treatment and surgical approach. We sought to evaluate oncologic outcomes for rectal cancer patients at a c...
Loss of acid-sensing ion channel 2 enhances pulmonary vascular resistance and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

This study demonstrates that loss of ASIC2 leads to increased baseline pulmonary vascular resistance, enhanced responses to a variety of vasoconstrictor stimuli, and greater development of hypoxic ...
Incidence of Mite-Vectored Viruses of Wheat in the Texas High Plains and Interactions With Their Host and Vector.

Mite-vectored virus diseases of wheat are common throughout the Great Plains and cause significant economic losses to growers each year. These diseases are caused by Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV...
Mining a massive RNA-seq dataset with biclustering: are evolutionary approaches ready for big data?

Finding meaningful structures in big data is challenging, especially within big and noisy data. In this short paper, we present the results of the application of 6 different biclustering methods to a massive human RNA-seq dataset with over 35k genes from over 125k samples. We assess which biclustering methods can handle that large data and compare the results to the mini-batch k-means, a popular clustering approach. Finally, we assess the importance of evolutionary-based approaches in biclustering 'big data'.
Unintended Adverse Consequences of Health IT Implementation: Workflow Issues and Their Cascading Effects

The implementation of health information technology (IT) in clinical settings can introduce adverse effects to workflow, such as new or increased work, interruptions and distractions, delays or inefficiencies, duplicated work practices, and changed or disrupted communication. These adverse effects, if not managed properly, can result in increased clinician cognitive load and escalated patient safety risks. In this chapter, we summarize the literature on unintended adverse consequences of health IT related to clinical workflow. Based on prior research, we categorize these effects as primary and secondary unintended consequences to conceptualize the workflow issues and their cascading effects. By considering workflow issues as primary consequences and beginning to unpack the complex relationship between these issues and their impact on clinical work, we can better anticipate and address the adverse effects associated with health IT implementation.
Mortality After Invasive Second Breast Cancers Following Prior Radiotherapy for DCIS.

BACKGROUND Women with a history of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are at increased risk for developing a second breast cancer (SBC). A prior meta-analysis of randomized studies of radiotherapy (RT) for DCIS has shown a trend toward increased breast cancer-specific mortality after SBC, but it did not have the power needed to detect a significant difference, due to a limited number of recurrences. This study sought to evaluate the impact of RT for DCIS on mortality after SBC in a larger cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using the SEER database, 3,407 patients were identified who received breast-conserving therapy with or without RT for primary DCIS in 2000 through 2013 and subsequently developed a stage I-III invasive SBC within the same time period. Fine-Gray competing risk models were used to study the association between receipt of RT and mortality after SBC. RESULTS Prior RT was found to be associated with higher rates of breast cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.18-2.45; P=.005), even after controlling for cancer stage. Interaction analysis suggested that this risk trended higher in patients with ipsilateral versus contralateral SBC (HR, 2.07 vs 1.26; P=.16). Furthermore, compared with patients who developed contralateral SBC, those with ipsilateral SBC were younger (P<.001) and more often lacked estrogen receptor expression (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients who previously received RT for DCIS had higher mortality after developing an invasive SBC than those who did not receive RT. This finding may have implications for initial treatment decisions in the management of DCIS.