cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advanced planning for autonomous vehicles using reinforcement learning and deep inverse reinforcement learning

Abstract Autonomous vehicles promise to improve traffic safety while, at the same time, increase fuel efficiency and reduce congestion. They represent the main trend in future intelligent transportation systems. This paper concentrates on the planning problem of autonomous vehicles in traffic. We model the interaction between the autonomous vehicle and the environment as a stochastic Markov decision process (MDP) and consider the driving style of an expert driver as the target to be learned. The road geometry is taken into consideration in the MDP model in order to incorporate more diverse driving styles. The desired, expert-like driving behavior of the autonomous vehicle is obtained as follows: First, we design the reward function of the corresponding MDP and determine the optimal driving strategy for the autonomous vehicle using reinforcement learning techniques. Second, we collect a number of demonstrations from an expert driver and learn the optimal driving strategy based on data using inverse reinforcement learning. The unknown reward function of the expert driver is approximated using a deep neural-network (DNN). We clarify and validate the application of the maximum entropy principle (MEP) to learn the DNN reward function, and provide the necessary derivations for using the maximum entropy principle to learn a parameterized feature (reward) function. Simulated results demonstrate the desired driving behaviors of an autonomous vehicle using both the reinforcement learning and inverse reinforcement learning techniques.
Developmental Biology: Go with the Flow to Keep the Body Straight.

Summary It has long been noticed that zebrafish defective in ciliary beating develop abnormal body curvatures. Recently, insights into how cilia keep the body straight have emerged, with implications for understanding human scoliosis.
A HOMOGENEOUS, NONADIABATIC MODEL OF DELTA CEPHEI

Publisher Summary This chapter explores a homogeneous, nonadiabatic model of delta Cephei. In the pulsation theory of variable stars, it has long been noted that the radial velocity curve of the fundamental mode of a homogeneous star seems to fit the observations of Cepheid variable stars. This chapter explains how close this correspondence is for the radial velocity curve of δ Cephei. It discusses the internal structure of a homogenous star. The function w(t) is the scale factor. It can be independent of the Lagrangian or comoving coordinate ξ only for this particular mode and star. The chapter presents the position of the spherical shells of the star. It also discusses the hydrodynamical fields of a homogeneous star.
The Selfie View: Perioperative Photography in the Digital Age

The aesthetics of social media have become increasingly important to cosmetic surgery patients in recent years; however, aesthetic treatments have not kept pace with the desires of modern patients. The current study investigates the most common angles employed by various user cohorts when posting a selfie on social media platforms and proposes that aesthetic surgeons consider utilizing a selfie angle alongside standard pre- and postoperative photographic views. Full face photographs published on the social media platform Instagram™ with the tag #selfie were divided into three cohorts: female models/influencers, amateur females, and amateur males. Each cohort contained 100 photographs. The photographs were analyzed using cloud-based facial analysis software for facial pan, roll, and tilt relative to the camera. One hundred photographs from each cohort were analyzed and demonstrated that amateur females (AF) take photographs from higher angles than amateur males (AM) or model females (MF). Roll-off-midline was significantly greater for AF and MF as compared to AM. The MF group had significantly a greater pan-off-midline as compared to AF and AM, while AF had significantly a greater pan-off-midline than AM. Common photography practices employed within selfie photographs utilize angles not captured in standard perioperative photographs. This study supports the implementation of a selfie photograph into the standard set of pre- and postoperative photographs taken by aesthetic surgeons to evaluate the effects of interventions in the context of selfie photography. The angle employed can vary depending upon the demographic profile of the patient. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
The Choice of Channel for Social Media Advertising by Apparel Firms: The Perspective from Institutional Isomorphism

The selection of a specific social media channel has been a challenge for the marketers. The variety social media sites have different forms and mechanisms and can be classified as: 1) the full-blown social networking sites (Facebook etc.); 2) blog and micro-blogging; 3) multimedia sharing sites (YouTube etc.); 4) review sites and discussion forums; 5) web search engine (Google, etc.); 6) Social News service (Digg, etc.); and 7) location based sites (Foursquare etc.). There is a need to address the selection mechanisms in firms. Thus, this research was to 1) explore factors influence the choice of channel for social media advertising by apparel firms; and 2) explain the large advertising revenue share by a certain social media channels. By reviewing the literature, a theoretical framework integrating the factors of social media evaluation and institutional isomorphism was developed to explain the channel choice for social media advertising by apparel firms.
Large-scale estimation of random graph models with local dependence

A class of random graph models is considered, combining features of exponential-family models and latent structure models, with the goal of retaining the strengths of both of them while reducing the weaknesses of each of them. An open problem is how to estimate such models from large networks. A novel approach to large-scale estimation is proposed, taking advantage of the local structure of such models for the purpose of local computing. The main idea is that random graphs with local dependence can be decomposed into subgraphs, which enables parallel computing on subgraphs and suggests a two-step estimation approach. The first step estimates the local structure underlying random graphs. The second step estimates parameters given the estimated local structure of random graphs. Both steps can be implemented in parallel, which enables large-scale estimation. The advantages of the two-step estimation approach are demonstrated by simulation studies with up to 10,000 nodes and an application to a large Amazon product recommendation network with more than 10,000 products.
Optimization of graphene oxide-modified carbon-fiber microelectrode for dopamine detection

Graphene oxide (GO) is a carbon-based material that is easily obtained from graphite or graphite oxide. GO has been used broadly for electrochemistry applications and our hypothesis is that GO coating a carbon-fiber microelectrode (CFME) will increase the sensitivity for dopamine by providing more adsorption sites due to the enhancement of oxygen functional groups. Here, we compared drop casting, dip coating, and electrodeposition methods to directly coat commercial GO on CFME surfaces. Dip coating did not result in much GO coating and drop casting resulted in large agglomerations that produced noisy signals and slow rise times. Electrodeposition method with cyclic voltammetry increase the current for dopamine and this method was the most reproducible and had the least noise compared to the other two coating methods. The optimized method used a triangular waveform scanned from -1.2 V to 1.5 V at 100 mV/s for 5 cycles in 0.2 mg/mL GO in water. With fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), the optimized GO/CFME enhanced the dopamine oxidation peak two-fold. The sensitivity of the modified electrode is 41±2 nA/μM with a linear range from 25 nM to 1 μM, and a limit of detection of 11 nM. The optimized electrodes were used to detect electrically-stimulated dopamine in brain slices to demonstrate their performance in tissue. Thus, GO can be used to enhance the sensitivity of electrodes for dopamine and improve biological measurements.
MHC class I-independent activation of virtual memory CD8 T cells induced by chemotherapeutic agent-treated cancer cells.

Cancer cells can evade immune recognition by losing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. Hence, MHC class I-negative cancers represent the most challenging cancers to treat. Chemotherapeutic drugs not only directly kill tumors but also modulate the tumor immune microenvironment. However, it remains unknown whether chemotherapy-treated cancer cells can activate CD8 T cells independent of tumor-derived MHC class I and whether such MHC class I-independent CD8 T-cell activation can be exploited for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we showed that chemotherapy-treated cancer cells directly activated CD8 T cells in an MHC class I-independent manner and that these activated CD8 T cells exhibit virtual memory (VM) phenotypes. Consistently, in vivo chemotherapeutic treatment preferentially increased tumor-infiltrating VM CD8 T cells. Mechanistically, MHC class I-independent activation of CD8 T cells requires cell–cell contact and activation of the PI3K pathway. VM CD8 T cells contribute to a superior therapeutic effect on MHC class I-deficient tumors. Using humanized mouse models or primary human CD8 T cells, we also demonstrated that chemotherapy-treated human lymphomas activated VM CD8 T cells independent of tumor-derived MHC class I. In conclusion, CD8 T cells can be directly activated in an MHC class I-independent manner by chemotherapy-treated cancers, and these activated CD8 T cells may be exploited for developing new strategies to treat MHC class I-deficient cancers.
The propagule doesn't fall far from the tree, especially after short-interval, high-severity fire.

Subalpine forests that historically burned every 100-300 years are expected to burn more frequently as climate warms, perhaps before trees reach reproductive maturity or produce a serotinous seedbank. Tree regeneration after short-interval ( 100 yrs) P. contorta forest in Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming, USA). We asked how propagule pressure varied with time since last fire, how seed delivery into burned forest varied with age and structure of live forest edges, what variables explained seed delivery into burned forest, and how spatial patterns of delivery across the burned area could vary with alternate patterns of surrounding live forest age. Seeds were collected in traps along 100-m transects (n = 18) extending from live forest edges of varying age (18, 30 and >100 yrs) into areas of recent (2-yr) high-severity fire, and along transects in live forests to measure propagule pressure. Propagule pressure was low in 18-yr-old stands (~8 seeds m-2 ) and similarly greater in 30- and 100-yr old stands (~32 seeds m-2 ). Mean dispersal distance was lowest from 18-yr-old edges and greatest from >100-yr-old edges. Seed delivery into burned forest declined with increasing distance and increased with height of trees at live forest edges, and was consistently higher for P. contorta than for other conifers. Empirical dispersal kernels revealed that seed delivery from 18-yr-old edges was very low (≤2.4 seeds m-2 ) and concentrated within 10 m of the live edge, whereas seed delivery from >100-yr old edges was >4.9 seeds m-2 out to 80 m. When extrapolated throughout the burned landscape, estimated seed delivery was low ( 70% of areas that burned in short-interval fire (<30 yrs). As fire frequency increases, immaturity risk will be compounded in short-interval fires because seed dispersal from surrounding young trees is limited.
Stroke transfers for thrombectomy in the era of extended time.

Abstract Background and purpose The Dawn and Extend Intra-Arterial (IA) acute stroke intervention trials have proven the benefit of thrombectomy in a select group of patients up to 24 h since their last known well time (LKWT) or time of symptom onset. Following the issuance of new treatment guidelines for large vessel occlusion strokes, we reviewed the paradigm shift effect on transfers for possible thrombectomy in a rural state. Hypothesis Extended time window for thrombectomy increases the need for better identification of potential transfers for thrombectomy in rural states with few hospitals capable of 24/7 interventional thrombectomy. Methods We analyzed all transfers to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) from January to December 2018 which were specifically transferred for possible further intervention. This time period was selected in accordance with the change in American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for extended time windows in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) care. Results A total of 132 patients were transferred for possible thrombectomy and advanced imaging. Thirty-four % patients underwent diagnostic angiogram with 33% patients having successful MT. Of the excluded patients 19% had large core infarcts by the time they arrived at hub hospital, 1.5% had hemorrhagic conversion, 32% had stroke without treatable occlusion not amenable for thrombectomy or cortical strokes on follow-up imaging, and 13.5% did not have stroke or LVO on follow-up imaging. Conclusion Since the AHA’s change in time window guidelines for mechanical thrombectomies, there has been an increased effort in identifying good candidates with computerized tomography angiography (CTA). To avoid undue burden on stroke systems of care, CTA identification of these patients at the spoke hospitals is key along with timely transport to appropriate thrombectomy capable sites. Given the rural nature of this state along with limited resources, selection of patients is a practical issue, especially for avoiding futile transfers, which might be true for large areas of the USA.
Predictors of Nonsentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Cutaneous Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract Background Although completion lymph node dissection (CLND) is not routinely performed for a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) anymore, adjuvant therapy depends on the risk factors available from SLN biopsy, including the risk of nonsentinel node metastases (NSNM). A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in an attempt to identify risk factors that could be used to predict the risk of NSNM. Materials and methods Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for articles discussing predictive factors for NSNM. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and RevMan software was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) using the Mantel-Haenszel test. Results Fifty publications were suitable for additional analysis. The clinical and primary tumor factors that were consistently identified as risk factors for NSNMs were: age >50, T stage 3 or 4, Clark level IV/V, ulceration, microsatellitosis, lymphovascular invasion, nodular histology, and extremity versus trunk primary tumor location. SLN factors that predicted NSNMs were >1 positive SLN, SLN micrometastatic tumor burden, diameter >2 mm, extracapsular extension, nonsubcapsular location (Dewar), and Rotterdam > 1 mm or ≥ 0.1 mm. Conclusions The findings in this study support that many clinical and pathologic risk factors that can be assessed with SLN biopsy alone can be used to predict the risk of NSNMs. The factors identified in this review should be evaluated in clinical prediction models to predict the risk of NSNMS, a prediction that may be used to select patients for adjuvant therapy in high-risk melanoma.
Sex-Specific Analysis Is Lacking in Abstracts Presented at Arthroscopy Association of North America and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meetings From 2016 to 2019.

Purpose To evaluate the presence of sex-specific analysis (SSA) in abstracts accepted for podium presentation at the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) annual meetings from 2016 to 2019. Methods Abstracts accepted for podium presentation at the AANA and AOSSM annual meetings from 2016 to 2019 were selected for review. Studies that included sex as a variable in a multifactorial statistical model were considered to have performed adequate SSA. Secondary data collected included whether the abstract had a female lead or senior author, the degrees of the female authors, and the anatomic focuses of studies with SSA. Results Of the 891 total abstracts accepted for podium presentation at the AANA and AOSSM annual meetings from 2016 to 2019, 90 (10%) included SSA. There were 284 AANA abstracts, 24 (8%) of which reported SSA. Of the 607 AOSSM abstracts, 66 (11%) reported SSA. There were 43 female first authors (15%) and 33 female senior authors (12%) of the AANA abstracts compared with 92 female first authors (15%) and 39 female senior authors (6%) of the AOSSM abstracts. Of the 891 total abstracts, 135 (15%) listed a female lead author and 72 (8%) had a female senior author. Of the 135 female first authors, 92 (68%) had an M.D., whereas 40 of the 72 female senior authors (56%) had an M.D. Analysis of all abstracts combined showed a positive correlation between SSA and a female first author (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.035, P = .147), as well as between SSA and a female senior author (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.052, P = .059). Conclusions From 2016 to 2019, only 10% of abstracts accepted for podium presentation at the AANA and AOSSM annual meetings included SSA. Altogether, women represented 15% of first authors and 8% of senior authors. Clinical Relevance This study highlights the low percentage of SSA in abstracts presented at the AANA and AOSSM annual meetings from 2016 to 2019. Future studies should attempt to perform SSA when relevant to better evaluate differences in outcomes between male and female patients.
Regional Flaps in Maxillofacial Reconstruction

SUMMARY Soft tissue maxillofacial reconstructive surgery has been elevated to new levels by virtue of a great number of available regional flaps. These flaps present a diverse set of donor sites, possible skin paddle sizes, and arcs of rotation that allow predictable immediate or delayed soft tissue reconstruction of the maxillofacial complex. The introduction of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in 1979 preceded the popular and frequent use of mandibular reconstruction bone plates and our understanding of the biology of radiation necrosis of the mandibular bone and concomitant soft tissue radiation necrosis requiring reconstruction. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon's responsibility for cancer patients who will be irradiated postoperatively, as well as for patients who have sustained soft and hard tissue radiation injury, therefore, has resulted in the modification, the further development, and the placement of myocutaneous flaps in these patients. Larger muscle volumes with preservation of secondary pedicles have proved useful in treating patients with these dilemmas. Furthermore, patients who undergo extirpation of oral malignancies and neck dissections that sacrifice the sternocleidomastoid muscle benefit from myocutaneous flap surgery, not only from the provision of oral lining by the skin paddle but also from coverage of the exposed carotid artery by the muscle. Moreover, an increased awareness of flap pedicles and their potential sacrifice during cancer neck dissections has led to sophistication in selection of myocutaneous flaps in head and neck cancer patients. An understanding of donor site anatomy, as well as the use of good judgment on the part of the reconstructive surgeon, allows for predictable and successful flap reconstruction of the maxillofacial complex.
Elucidating and Mitigating High-Voltage Interfacial Chemomechanical Degradation of Nickel-Rich Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes via Conformal Graphene Coating

Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (NMCs) are promising cathode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Although these materials are commonly cycled within mild voltage windows (u...
Ventilatory Responses During Arterial Homeostasis of PCO2 at Low Levels of Inspired Carbon Dioxide

Ventilatory responses in anesthetized chickens were measured during arterial \({\operatorname{P} _{{{\operatorname{CO} }_2}}}\) (\({\operatorname{P} _{{{\operatorname{aCO} }_2}}}\)) homeostasis at low levels of inspired carbon dioxide (\({\operatorname{P} _{{{\operatorname{ICO} }_2}}}\)). The \({\operatorname{P} _{{{\operatorname{aCO} }_2}}}\) and hydrogen ion concentration in arterial blood ([H+]a) were regulated at control levels (partial pressure of CO2 in inspired gas, \({\operatorname{P} _{{{\operatorname{iCO} }_2}}}\) = 0) as \({\operatorname{P} _{{{\operatorname{aCO} }_2}}}\) was varied between 0 and 21 torr under both normoxic (Series I) and hyperoxic (Series II) conditions. During normoxia, mean expiratory minute volume (VT) increased by 53%, mean tidal volume (VT) increased by 82%, and mean respiratory frequency (f) decreased by 25%. We conclude that CO2-sensitive intrapulmonary chemoreceptors mediate the ventilatory response to inhalted CO2 during arterial isocapnia and that parabronchial ventilation is the regulated variable accounting for arterial hemoestasis of \({\operatorname{P} _{{{\operatorname{aCO} }_2}}}\).
Rethinking Civilization: Resolving Conflict in the Human Family

1. Introduction 2. An Unfinished Journey 3. Global Empire 4. Global Terror 5. Global Governance 6. Global Communication 7. Religious Resurgence 8. Human Conditions 9. Human Spirituality 10. A Personal Journey References
On the probability of cycle-slipping in first-order phase-locked loops.

The first-passage time boundary value problem for first-order phase-locked loops (PLL) is analyzed, and spectral representations are developed for the probability density function (pdf), the distribution function, and the moments of the first time to passage (or cycle-slip). For the sinusoidal PLL, an asymptotic formula, that is surprisingly accurate even at low loop SNR's and large frequency offsets, is obtained for the pdf of the time to cycle-slip, in terms of the mean time to slip.
Husserl’s Theory of Noematic Sinn

This chapter continues our discussion of Husserl’s theory of intentionality, focusing on his account of noema and noematic Sinn. We have already argued that, for Husserl, noemata are ideal “contents” of consciousness; specifically, the Sinn in the noema is the component of an act’s content that determines the act’s intentional relation to its object. Now we ask for more details: just what kind of entity is a Sinn and precisely how does it confer intentionality on the act?
Detection of short transients in colored noise by multirate multiresolution (MRMR) analysis

Based on a multirate multiresolution (MRMR) Kalman filter analysis, two de-noising methods are applied to a colored noise model to detect short transients. Starting with a standard state-space stochastic model, it can be shown that a signal can be decomposed into uncorrelated innovations at varying sampling frequencies and corresponding levels of resolution. In a benchmark experiment, results show that as a signal is decomposed in a wavelet packet, transient signals can be identified at lower thresholds. For applications in undersea warfare, this detection scheme can provide valuable information in a sensor fusion design.
Heritage Werks; www.heritagewerks.com

Heritage Werks builds and manages strategic archives for a wide variety of customers that includes museums, organizations, and government agencies. The company also develops systems and establishes...
Utilization of medium-chain triglycerides by neonatal pigs: effects of emulsification and dose delivered.

Four trials were conducted using 86, 24-h-old pigs to evaluate the utilization of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). Effects of emulsification and amount of MCT fed were examined. After a 4-h period during which feed was withheld, pigs were force-fed MCT (containing 75% octanoate and 25% decanoate), marking time 0 of the experiment. Blood samples were obtained at 1 and 2 h for subsequent medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) analysis. In Trials 1 (six pigs/treatment) and 2 (four pigs/treatment) the response to three emulsifying agents was compared to a nonemulsified (NE) control. Twenty milliliters of a 30% (vol/vol) emulsion of MCT or 6 mL of NE MCT was administered. Concentrations of MCFA at 1 h in pigs receiving a Tween 80 (polyoxy-ethylene [20] sorbitan monooleate) emulsion were 3- to 19-fold higher than concentrations in animals administered a gum arabic/gum tragacanth emulsion, a lecithin emulsion, or NE MCT. Trials 3 (eight pigs/treatment) and 4 (six pigs/treatment) were conducted to determine the plasma MCFA concentrations resulting from feeding increasing levels of NE (3, 6, 9, or 12 mL of MCT) or emulsified MCT oil (2, 4, 6, or 8 mL in a 30% Tween 80 emulsion). Plasma octanoate concentrations measured at 1 h increased linearly (P < .05) with increasing MCT dosage through 9 mL of NE and 6 mL of emulsified MCT. A transient narcosis was observed in 8 of 12 animals that received 6 or 8 mL of emulsified MCT and was most pronounced 1 to 2 h after feeding, which roughly corresponded to peak plasma MCFA concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
14 - Electron Beam Ion Traps

Production of a very highly charged ion is extremely difficult, requiring successive collisions having center-of-mass energies greater than the binding energies of the electrons to be removed. One can achieve such collisions either by directing a relativistic heavy-ion beam from a large accelerator into a stationary foil target or by directing an electron beam a thousandfold less energetic into a stationary ion target. The latter method is used in the electron-beam ion trap. Our ability today to produce hydrogen-like ions of uranium or any other element in an electron-beam ion trap is the result of several innovations made by different investigators over a long period of time. The use of ion cooling and a recent increase in the electron-beam energy finally enable the production and trapping of any ion up to bare uranium. Now there is also a vigorous effort to use the electron-beam ion trap as a source of these ions for external experiments. Although the electron-beam ion trap was initially developed for x-ray measurements of trapped ions, one can change its mode of operation to provide an efficient source of very slow, very highly charged ions. 17 refs., 7 figs.
UV-light-induced signal cascades and skin aging

UV irradiation acts as a broad activator of cell surface growth factor and cytokine receptors. This ligand-independent receptor activation induces multiple downstream signaling pathways that regulate expression of multiple genes. These signaling pathways converge to stimulate transcription factor AP-1. Among genes whose expression is regulated by AP-1 are several matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) family members and type I procollagen. UV-enhanced matrix degradation is accompanied with decreased collagen production mediated not only by activation of AP-1, but also by inhibition of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling. Several alterations to skin connective tissue that occur during aging are mediated by mechanisms that are similar to those that occur in response to UV irradiation. Thus, skin aging is associated with increased AP-1 activity, increased MMP expression, impaired TGF-beta signaling, enhanced collagen degradation, and decreased collagen synthesis. Knowledge gained from examining molecular responses of human skin to UV irradiation provides not only a framework for understanding mechanisms involved in skin aging, but also may help in development of new clinical strategies to impede chronological and UV-induced skin aging.
Association of age and BMI with kidney function and mortality: a cohort study

Summary Background Compared with normal weight, obesity might be associated with worse clinical outcomes, including chronic kidney disease. Whether this association is modified by age is not known. We investigated the association of BMI with progressive loss of kidney function and all-cause mortality in US veterans. Methods In a national cohort of 3 376 187 US veterans with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of more than 60 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 , we assessed the association of BMI in patients of different ages ( Findings 274 764 (8·1%) of 3 376 187 veterans had a rapid decline in kidney function (decrease in slope of >5 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 ). The lowest risk for loss of kidney function was noted in patients with BMI of at least 25 kg/m 2 but less than 30 kg/m 2 . A generally consistent U-shaped association was noted between BMI and rapid loss of kidney function that was more prominent with increasing age, except in the patients younger than 40 years, in whom BMI did not seem to be predictive of renal function impairment. 672 341 veterans died (28·7 per 1000 patient-years, 95% CI 28·6–28·7) over a median follow-up of 6·8 years (IQR 6·5–7·7). BMI also showed a U-shaped association with mortality, which was similar in all age groups. Interpretation A BMI of 30 kg/m 2 or more is associated with rapid loss of kidney function in patients with eGFR of at least 60 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 , and this association is accentuated in older patients. A BMI of 35 kg/m 2 or more is also associated with high mortality. A BMI of at least 25 kg/m 2 but less than 30 kg/m 2 is associated with the best clinical outcomes. Funding National Institute of Health, Memphis VA Medical Center, Long Beach VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development, Health Services Research and Development, and VA Information Resource Center.
IFATS collection: Stem cell antigen-1-positive ear mesenchymal stem cells display enhanced adipogenic potential

Hyperplasia is a major contributor to the increase in adipose tissue mass that is characteristic of obesity. However, the identity and characteristics of cells that can be committed into adipocyte lineage remain unclear. Stem cell antigen 1 (Sca-1) has been used recently as a candidate marker in the search for tissue-resident stem cells. In our quest for biomarkers of cells that can become adipocytes, we analyzed ear mesenchymal stem cells (EMSC), which can differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes, and myocytes. Our previous studies have demonstrated that EMSC abundantly expressed Sca-1. In the present study, we have analyzed the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and adipocyte-specific genes in Sca-1-enriched and Sca-1-depleted EMSC fractions. Sca-1-enriched EMSC accumulated more lipid droplets during adipogenic differentiation than Sca-1-depleted. Similarly, EMSC isolated from Sca-1(-/-) mice displayed reduced lipid accumulation relative to EMSC from wild-type controls (p < .01). Comparative analysis of the adipogenic differentiation process between Sca-1-enriched and Sca-1-depleted populations of EMSC revealed substantial differences in the gene expression. Preadipocyte factor 1, CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) beta, C/EBPalpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma2, lipoprotein lipase, and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein were expressed at significantly higher levels in the Sca-1-enriched EMSC fraction. However, the most striking observation was that leptin was detected only in the conditioned medium of Sca-1-enriched EMSC. In addition, we performed loss-of-function (Sca-1 morpholino oligonucleotide) experiments. The data presented here suggest that Sca-1 is a biomarker for EMSC with the potential to become functionally active adipocytes. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Imaging multiple colloidal particles by fitting electromagnetic scattering solutions to digital holograms

Abstract Digital holographic microscopy is a fast three-dimensional (3D) imaging tool with many applications in soft matter physics. Recent studies have shown that electromagnetic scattering solutions can be fit to digital holograms to obtain the 3D positions of isolated colloidal spheres with nanometer precision and millisecond temporal resolution. Here we describe the results of new techniques that extend the range of systems that can be studied with fitting. We show that an exact multisphere superposition scattering solution can fit holograms of colloidal clusters containing up to six spheres. We also introduce an approximate and computationally simpler solution, Mie superposition, that is valid for multiple spheres spaced several wavelengths or more from one another. We show that this method can be used to analyze holograms of several spheres on an emulsion droplet, and we give a quantitative criterion for assessing its validity.
Agricultural Trade Liberalization: The Ever-Elusive Grail

"World Trade Negotiators Fail to Resolve Farm Issue; Suspension of Talks is Likely;" so read the Wall Street Journal headline of December 7, 1990. Today, August 3, 1993, the Uruguay Round is still not complete. Thus the title of this lecture. According to my Webster's dictionary a grail is "an object of an extended or difficult quest." Agricultural trade liberalization attempts certainly seem to qualify. The Uruguay Round of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations has dragged on for 7 years, 3 years beyond the planned duration of the 8th Round of GATT negotiations. It is by far the most comprehensive attempt to liberalize manufacturing and non-manufacturing trade ever undertaken. Agriculture, textiles, services, investment, and intellectual property rights are all on the agenda. Much of the delay in completing the Round has been laid at the doorstep of agriculture. As was the case on the Dillon, Kennedy, and Tokyo Rounds, which preceded the Uruguay Round, liberalizing agricultural trade has turned out to be incredibly difficult. Why should an activity which is a declining share of world trade-it is now less than 10%-cause so much trouble? One
Development narratives and the uses of ecology: malaria control in Northwest Argentina, 1890–1940

Abstract This study traces the evolution of social–environmental models of malaria control in Northwest Argentina. Beginning in the 1890s, the rationale for malaria control hinged on a narrative that placed malaria as the root cause of the Northwest's chronic backwardness. Insalubrious rural and urban landscapes, underutilized agricultural potential, unproductive labor, and even racial decay were all bound together as a public health problem. The framework for understanding malaria in the environment was derived from miasmatic theory and medical geography, anchoring the disease firmly in particular landscapes. Wetlands, representing both economic waste and a public health hazard, were singled out as targets for reclamation. Thus ‘environmental sanitation’ techniques, especially wetland drainage, became the preferred strategy for the federal government's malaria campaign, initiated in 1907. The ‘socio-ecological’ orientation of the Italian malaria campaign under Fascism, in which large-scale wetland reclamation for malaria control seemed to produce a comprehensive transformation of rural land and life, had a strong influence in Argentina, further entrenching environmental sanitation methods. By the 1930s, however, it became apparent that Italy's wetlands served poorly as landscape analogues for Argentina's Northwest. In particular, the main mosquito vector in the region turned out not to be a stereotypical ‘swamp breeder,’ rendering pointless most wetland drainage efforts. A counter-model, which adopted the framework of ecological science, proved to be more sensitive to the behaviors and microenvironments of different mosquito species, while disentangling malaria control from the broader and mostly unrealistic social development goals of the older model.
Fallacies and objectives regarding the uses of new technologies in education

Gradually, the allocation of funds to socially—and particularly educationally—oriented technological programmes has ceased to be looked upon as an expense and has come to be accepted as an indispensable investment for the future, which may be said moreover to affect the balance of power between nations. The key role played by education in the dynamic of economic development is nowadays readily recognized. Businessmen, industrialists, academics and politicians alike are aware of the very close connection between education, technology and growth. Unfortunately, this recognition is marred by glaring contradictions. Every day the gap widens between the demand for highly qualified human resources and the output generated by education systems. In practically all countries, endemic dissatisfaction with these systems is the rule. Because of the central role that the new information and communication technologies (ICTs) play in society, and because of the hopes they have aroused in education, educational authorities and leaders have come to consider them as either a cure-all or an unachievable dream. Incorporating them—which is essential in order to achieve equity and to improve the quality of learning—has been
Coupling between hydrodynamics, acoustics, and heat release in a self-excited unstable combustor

The unsteady gas dynamic field in a closed combustor is determined by the nonlinear interactions between chamber acoustics, hydrodynamics, and turbulent combustion that can energize these modes. These interactions are studied in detail using hybrid RANS/large eddy simulations (RANS = Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes) of a non-premixed, high-pressure laboratory combustor that produces self-excited longitudinal instabilities. The main variable in the study is the relative acoustic length between the combustion chamber and the tube that injects oxidizer into the combustor. Assuming a half-wave (closed-closed) combustion chamber, the tube lengths approximately correspond to quarter-, 3/8-, and half-wave resonators that serve to vary the phasing between the acoustic modes in the tube and the combustion chamber. The simulation correctly predicts the relatively stable behavior measured with the shortest tube and the very unstable behavior measured with the intermediate tube. Unstable behavior is also predicted for the longest tube, a case for which bifurcated stability behavior was measured in the experiment. In the first (stable) configuration, fuel flows into the combustor uninterrupted, and heat release is spatially continuous with a flame that remains attached to the back step. In the second (unstable) configuration, a cyclic process is apparent comprising a disruption in the fuel flow, subsequent detachment of the flame from the back step, and accumulation of fuel in the recirculation zone that ignites upon arrival of a compression wave reflected from the downstream boundary of the combustion chamber. The third case (mixed stable/unstable) shares features with both of the other cases. The major difference between the two cases predicted to be unstable is that, in the intermediate length tube, a pressure wave reflection inside the tube pushes unburnt fuel behind the back step radially outward, leading to a post-coupled reignition mechanism, while in the case of the longest tube, the reignition is promoted by vortex convection and combustor-wall interaction. Other flow details indicated by the simulation include the relative phase between flow resonances in the tube and the combustor, increased mixing due to baroclinic torque, and the presence of an unsteady triple flame.
Compressive Detection of Multiple Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Signals

In this paper, a compressive detection approach for detecting the presence of multiple Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) signals is introduced. The large bandwidth produced due to hopping between frequency channels makes interception of FHSS signals challenging. Conventional FHSS detection approaches use channelized radiometers which reduce the sampling rate by dividing the entire FHSS hopping frequency range into sub bands. In this paper, we introduce a detection system which compressively observes the entire FHSS hopping range and can detect not only the presence of FHSS signals but also the number of signals present. Theoretical analysis and simulations are provided to compare the performance of the proposed compressive detection system to a channelized radiometer based detection system.
Creating psychological tutorials on the World-Wide Web

The potential impact that the World-Wide Web (WWW) will have on psychology and psychological education extends far beyond serving as a resource for information acquisition. Particularly through the WWW there is the capability to develop interactive teaching resources with integrated multimedia. These resources can take the form of tutorials or quizzes. In the present paper, on-line examples illustrate how these resources can be developed and used.
The effect of long and short head biceps loading on glenohumeral joint rotational range of motion and humeral head position

To evaluate the effect of loading the long and short heads of the biceps on glenohumeral range of motion and humeral head position. Eight cadaveric shoulders were tested in 60° abduction in the scapula and coronal plane. Muscle loading was applied based on cross-sectional area ratios. The short and long head of the biceps were loaded individually followed by combined loading. Range of motion was measured with 2.2 Nm torque, and the humeral head apex position was measured using a MicroScribe. A paired t test with Bonferroni correction was used for statistics. Long head loading decreased internal rotation in both the scapular (17.9 %) and coronal planes (5.7 %) and external rotation in the scapular plane (2.6 %) (P < 0.04). With only short head loading, maximum internal rotation was significantly increased in the scapular and coronal plane. Long head and short head loading shifted the humeral head apex posteriorly in maximum internal rotation in both planes with the long head shift being significantly greater than the short head. Long head loading also shifted the humeral apex inferiorly in internal rotation and inferiorly posteriorly in neutral rotation in the scapular plane. With the long head unloaded, there was a significant superior shift with short head loading in both planes. Loading the long head of the biceps had a much greater effect on glenohumeral range of motion and humeral head shift than the short head of the biceps; however, in the absence of long head loading, with the short head loaded, maximum internal rotation increases and the humeral head shifts superiorly, which may contribute to impingement following tenodesis of the long head of the biceps. These small changes in rotational range of motion and humeral head position with biceps tenodesis may not lead to pathologic conditions in low-demand patients; however, in throwers, biceps tenodesis may lead to increased contact pressures in late-cocking and deceleration that will likely translate to decreased performance therefore every effort should be made to preserve the biceps-labral complex.
Perisurgical Intravenous Iron Therapy

SUMMARY There is no doubt that the developments in detecting viral antigens and antibodies, and very recently viral RNA or DNA, in donor blood, have greatly increased the safety of blood transfusion1. However, while it is generally agreed that a residual risk of transmitting viral infections by blood still exists 2, we do not know if Creutzfeld-Jakob disease or its new form – undetectable with current screening methods – are transmitted by transfusion or not 3. Furthermore, the long-term immunomodulatory effect of allogeneic blood on the patient is not known. For these reasons, a more conservative transfusion practice is advocated; physicians must do all they can to decrease allogeneic blood transfusion, especially in patients without blood disease who, because of a significant acute blood loss (e.g. during major surgery), are likely to receive allogeneic blood. In this paper we will discuss the use of intravenously administered iron in the perisurgical setting as a means of accelerating erythropoiesis in an attempt to decrease transfusion requirements.
Two-dimensional unoccupied electronic band structure of clean Cu(110) and (1 × 2) Na/Cu(110)

Using the technique of angle-resolved inverse photoemission, we have measured the dispersion of an unoccupied Cu(110) surface state for the clean Cu(110) surface and for the (1 × 2) reconstructed Na/Cu(110) surface along the Γ−YandY−S symmetry lines. The dispersion of the crystal-induced surface state of clean Cu(110) at 2.05 eV above the Fermi energy at the Y point of the SBZ is free-electron-like with an effective mass of (1.0 ± 0.2)me at the Y point, which is in good agreement with other experimental results as well as a theoretical calculation. This surface state shifts to 2.5 eV above the Fermi energy for the (1 × 2) phase of Na/Cu(110) with a coverage of 0.25 ML, and the dispersion along the Γ−Y direction is considerably reduced compared to the clean surface. On the other hand, the dispersion of this state for (1 × 2) Na/Cu(110) (0.25 ML) along the Y−S direction is close to that of clean Cu(110). We account for these results within a missing-row picture of the Na-induced reconstruction.
The comprehension of relative, absolute, and contrastive adjectives by young children

Three types of adjectives-relative, contrastive, and absolute-were presented in standard and comparative contrasts to preschool children in a picture-choice paradigm. Proportion of errors in picture choices showed the predicted effect of greater difficulty for comparative than for standard terms. Latency data showed that the responses to comparative forms of absolute and contrastive adjectives were significantly slower than responses to their standard forms, and were also slower than responses to the comparative forms of the relative terms which did not differ from their standard forms. These data support the interpretation that the classes of relative, contrastive, and absolute adjectives are processed differently by young children. Factors of cognitive complexity that influence the order of difficulty are considered.
Effective Teaching with Technology in Adult Education

Effective teaching with technology in adult education stems from many factors. Technology is only used to enhance learning. Not only are teachers of adult learners required to study the tools related to the use of technology, but are also required to study the nature of knowledge, the nature of learning, constructivism and various kinds of teaching philosophies. Without thorough knowledge of these factors, effective teaching with technology cannot occur in adult education, let alone other educational fields. This article is comprehensive concerning effective teaching with technology in adult education because it also addresses the interrelationships between the use of technologies and the teaching and learning process.
An examination of the breakdown in creep by viscous glide in solid solution alloys at high stress levels

Abstract Experiments on Al-3.3 at.% Mg and Al-5.6 at.% Mg at a temperature of 623 K show that the stress exponent, n , increases with increasing stress from 3.0 (class A behavior) to 4.6. There is an essentially random distribution of dislocations in the region with n ∼- 3.0, but there is evidence for subgrain formation in the region with n ∼- 4.6. It is demonstrated that the transition to n ∼- 4.6 is not consistent either with normal power-law breakdown or with a transition to a region of viscous glide controlled by pipe diffusion, but the results are in good agreement with a breakaway of the dislocations from their solute atmospheres. Furthermore, the latter concept is consistent with numerous published observations, including the magnitude of the transition stresses, the nature of the creep curves, the shapes of the transients in stress increase experiments, the values of the effective stress exponent for the dislocation velocity, and the substructural features. It is concluded that viscous glide (class A) occurs in solid solution alloys over a limited range of stresses, and there is a transition to dislocation climb (class M) at both lower and higher stress levels. An equation is presented which specifies the range of normalized stresses for class A behavior.