cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selection for resistance to oseltamivir in seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza and widespread co-circulation of the lineages

In Spring 2009, a novel reassortant strain of H1N1 influenza A emerged as a lineage distinct from seasonal H1N1. On June 11, the World Heath Organization declared a pandemic - the first since 1968. There are currently two main branches of H1N1 circulating in humans, a seasonal branch and a pandemic branch. The primary treatment method for pandemic and seasonal H1N1 is the antiviral drug Tamiflu® (oseltamivir). Although many seasonal H1N1 strains around the world are resistant to oseltamivir, initially, pandemic H1N1 strains have been susceptible to oseltamivir. As of February 3, 2010, there have been reports of resistance to oseltamivir in 225 cases of H1N1 pandemic influenza. The evolution of resistance to oseltamivir in pandemic H1N1 could be due to point mutations in the neuraminidase or a reassortment event between seasonal H1N1 and pandemic H1N1 viruses that provide a neuraminidase carrying an oseltamivir-resistant genotype to pandemic H1N1. Using phylogenetic analysis of neuraminidase sequences, we show that both seasonal and pandemic lineages of H1N1 are evolving to direct selective pressure for resistance to oseltamivir. Moreover, seasonal lineages of H1N1 that are resistant to oseltamivir co-circulate with pandemic H1N1 throughout the globe. By combining phylogenetic and geographic data we have thus far identified 53 areas of co-circulation where reassortment can occur. At our website POINTMAP, http://pointmap.osu.edu we make available a visualization and an application for updating these results as more data are released. As oseltamivir is a keystone of preparedness and treatment for pandemic H1N1, the potential for resistance to oseltamivir is an ongoing concern. Reassortment and, more likely, point mutation have the potential to create a strain of pandemic H1N1 against which we have a reduced number of treatment options.
Evaluating ecological resilience with global sensitivity and uncertainty analysis

Abstract Concern about catastrophic tipping points has motivated inquiry to better understand ecosystem dynamics in the presence of human action. This requires that we confront multiple challenges in the evaluation of complex systems. One challenge is that resilience has proven difficult to quantify; another issue is that the value of model complexity relative to system complexity is disputed; and finally, local methods for assessing uncertainty are inadequate for more complex models. We address these three challenges simultaneously by proposing a means of evaluating ecological resilience via employment of global sensitivity and uncertainty analysis and comparing models of varying complexity. We suggest that probability distribution functions in output from global sensitivity and uncertainty analysis can be interpreted in terms of ball-and-cup diagrams used in systems theory to visualize ecological resilience. This permits quantification of ecological resilience in terms of the probability of whether a system will remain in a pre-existing state or shift to a different state. We outline the methods for using global sensitivity and uncertainty analysis to evaluate ecological resilience and provide examples from recent research. We highlight applications of these methods to assessment of ecosystem management options in terms of their ramifications for ecological resilience.
Surrogate models in ill-conditioned systems

Ridge versions of an ill-conditioned system are alleged to ‘‘act more like an orthogonal system’’ than the system itself. Alternatives, called surrogates and based on the conditioning of linear systems, are shown to yield smaller expected mean squares than OLS, and uniformly smaller residual sums of squares than ridge. Ridge and surrogate solutions are compared on several marques of orthogonality to include conditioning of dispersion arrays, variance inflation factors, isotropy of variances, and sphericity of contours of the estimators. For these, ridge typically exhibits erratic divergence from orthogonality as the ridge scalar evolves, often reverting back to OLS in the limit. In contrast, surrogate solutions converge monotonically to those from orthogonal systems. Invariance considerations constrain the computations to models in canonical form. Case studies serve to illustrate the central issues.
Hyponatremia: Clinical Diagnosis and Management

Hyponatremia is a common clinical problem in hospitalized patients and nursing home residents. It also may occur in healthy athletes after endurance exercise. The majority of patients with hyponatremia are asymptomatic and do not require immediate correction of hyponatremia. Symptomatic hyponatremia is a medical emergency requiring rapid correction to prevent the worsening of brain edema. How fast we should increase the serum sodium levels depends on the onset of hyponatremia and still remains controversial. If the serum sodium levels are corrected too rapidly, patients may develop central pontine myelinolysis, but if they are corrected too slowly, patients may die of brain herniation. We review the epidemiology and mechanisms of hyponatremia, the sensitivity of women to hyponatremic injury, the adaptation and maladaptation of brain cells to hyponatremia and its correction, and the practical ways of managing hyponatremia. Because the majority of hyponatremia is caused by the non-osmotic release of vasopressin, the recent approval of the vasopressin receptor antagonist conivaptan for euvolemic hyponatremia may simplify hyponatremia management. However, physicians should be aware of the risk of rapid correction of hyponatremia, hypotension, and excessive fluid intake.
Towards a model for hardware and software functional partitioning

We describe a model that supports the functional partitioning of a system-level functional specification among hardware and software components. The model includes only the information needed by partitioning, and thus can be communicated freely and generated automatically. Based on characteristics of several real examples, we describe a technique for automatically generating generic model instances, on which partitioning heuristics can be applied and fairly compared. Such comparisons will become increasingly important as research begins to focus on fast yet effective functional partitioning techniques. We describe a set of tools for converting a specification to the model, for generating generic model instances, and for applying and comparing partitioning heuristics, available via ftp. Use of these tools may greatly reduce duplicated efforts among researchers wishing to investigate hardware/software partitioning heuristics.
Production uncertainty and trade policy commitment

Agricultural markets are characterized by production and marketing lags. Uncertainty is also an inherent feature of agricultural markets. This paper investigates if two policy active importers will choose to commit to their import levels or keep the flexibility to revise their ex-ante import levels once production decisions are made and the uncertainty is resolved. This is the constant dilemma faced by prospective WTO members. We assume production in both importing countries is subject to an asymmetric random shock. We show that a government will not want to commit to its import level when there is a high degree of uncertainty in production. However, an importing country is likely to commit to a trade policy in equilibrium although the equilibrium may be Pareto dominated. Under certain conditions, an equilibrium in which one country commits to its ex-ante import level while the other chooses the flexibility option can emerge. In this setting, international trade agreements play an important role.
Factors that regulate embryonic gustatory development

Numerous molecular factors orchestrate the development of the peripheral taste system. The unique anatomy/function of the taste system makes this system ideal for understanding the mechanisms by which these factors function; yet the taste system is underutilized for this role. This review focuses on some of the many factors that are known to regulate gustatory development, and discusses a few topics where more work is needed. Some attention is given to factors that regulate epibranchial placode formation, since gustatory neurons are thought to be primarily derived from this region. Epibranchial placodes appear to arise from a pan-placodal region and a number of regulatory factors control the differentiation of individual placodes. Gustatory neuron differentiation is regulated by a series of transcription factors and perhaps bone morphongenic proteins (BMP). As neurons differentiate, they also proliferate such that their numbers exceed those in the adult, and this is followed by developmental death. Some of these cell-cycling events are regulated by neurotrophins. After gustatory neurons become post-mitotic, axon outgrowth occurs. Axons are guided by multiple chemoattractive and chemorepulsive factors, including semaphorins, to the tongue epithelium. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), functions as a targeting factor in the final stages of axon guidance and is required for gustatory axons to find and innervate taste epithelium. Numerous factors are involved in the development of gustatory papillae including Sox-2, Sonic hedge hog and Wnt-β-catenin signaling. It is likely that just as many factors regulate taste bud differentiation; however, these factors have not yet been identified. Studies examining the molecular factors that regulate terminal field formation in the nucleus of the solitary tract are also lacking. However, it is possible that some of the factors that regulate geniculate ganglion development, outgrowth, guidance and targeting of peripheral axons may have the same functions in the gustatory CNS.
Reported Mammographic Density: Film-Screen versus Digital Acquisition

Because the results of this study showed that Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System breast density categories reported do not differ according to acquisition method, these density categories could be used in the development of breast cancer risk models in which both film-screen and digital mammography are used.
Improved Focal-Depth Determination through Automated Identification of the Seismic Depth Phases pP and sP

A new, fully automated processing algorithm based on network beamforming of raw automatic detection data has been implemented to improve the analyst’s capability to identify the seismic depth phases pP and sP , and thereby to improve focal-depth estimation accuracy in seismic bulletins. This algorithm has been tested on data recorded from a sample of 150 subcrustal earthquakes located in the Pamir-Hindu Kush, Hokkaido, and central Honshu seismic zones and has successfully identified candidate depth phases for over 70% of the events analyzed, including some with magnitudes as low as m b 3.75. Several supplemental analyst tools for validating such candidate depth phases identified by the network-beamforming algorithm have also been implemented and evaluated in a preliminary fashion. These include the F detector (Blandford, 1974), which provides a quantitative statistical measure of whether a particular detection has a vector slowness consistent with that expected for a depth phase, and the Pearce (1977, 1980) focal-mechanism algorithm, which provides a means for determining whether the observed candidate depth-phase amplitude patterns across the network of observing stations are consistent with the regional tectonic environments in which the earthquakes occur. Results of the tests conducted to date indicate that the use of these automated analyst tools should significantly improve the confident identification of pP and sP phases for inclusion in hypocenter inversion analyses.
The public health impact of antidepressants: An instrumental variable analysis

Abstract Background There has been a marked increase in antidepressant medication prescription and use over the past three decades with unclear effects on the mental health status of the population. This study examined the impact of expansion of antidepressant use on prevalence and characteristics of depression and suicidal ideations in the community. Method Instrumental variable models were used to assess the impact of antidepressant treatments on the prevalence of depressive episodes, mixed anxiety and depression states and suicidal ideations in 22,845 participants of the 1993, 2000 and 2007 National surveys of psychiatric morbidity of Great Britain who were between 16 and 64 years of age. Results Increased prevalence of antidepressant treatment did not impact the prevalence of depressive episodes or mixed anxiety and depression states. However, antidepressant treatment was associated with decreased prevalence of severe and, to a lesser extent, mild depressive episodes and suicidal ideations and a corresponding increase in prevalence of moderate depressive episodes. Limitations The data were cross-sectional and based on self-report of symptoms in the past month and current medication use with no information on dose and duration of medication treatment. Conclusions Expansion of antidepressant treatments in recent years has not changed the community prevalence of depression overall, but it has reduced the prevalence of more severe depression and suicidal ideations. The findings call for better targeting and more judicious use of antidepressants in cases of more severe depressive episodes which are more likely to respond to such treatments.
Applications of Osteotomy in the Cloacal Exstrophy Patient

During the last 18 years we treated 22 patients with cloacal exstrophy of whom 13 were referred for further treatment after initial treatment elsewhere. One patient underwent cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion soon after birth and 9 of the remaining 21 underwent initial closure without osteotomy. Of these 9 patients significant complications developed in 8 (89%) after bladder closure, including dehiscence in 6 (1 underwent 2 unsuccessful closures), a vesicocutaneous fistula and postoperative ventral hernia in 1, and bladder prolapse in 1. In contrast, complications developed in only 2 of the 12 patients (17%) who underwent osteotomy at the time of initial closure, including bladder dehiscence in 1 and significant prolapse in 1. Patients who underwent osteotomy and those who did not were similar in terms of the size of omphalocele, presence of myelomeningocele and time of primary closure. We also found that osteotomy or failed closure has no effect on the eventual continence of cloacal exstrophy patients. While osteotomy is not the only variable involved in successful cloacal exstrophy closure, our results indicate the need for osteotomy in these patients to increase the success rate at the time of initial bladder closure.
Soft errors: is the concern for soft-errors overblown?

Cosmic ray particles have the ability to either toggle the state of memory elements or create unwanted glitches in combinational logic that may be latched by memory elements. As supply voltages reduce and feature sizes become smaller in future technologies, soft error tolerance is considered a significant challenge for designing future electronic systems. In some cases, the impact of soft errors is easily overblown. The real challenge at hand is to consider the kind of soft error protection and recovery mechanisms that can be provided while meeting other system parameters such as power consumption, performance, area usage and criticality of a failure. Another challenge is to understand the interactions of other optimizations targeted at other constraints such as performance or power consumption with soft error rates. It is important for system designers to perform soft error analysis to avoid repetitions of widely-publicised soft error failures
Exposure to acute stress is associated with attenuated sweet taste.

This study examined the effects of stress on taste perception. Participants (N = 38; 21 women) completed two laboratory sessions: one stress (public speaking, math, and cold pressor) and one control rest session. The taste perception test was conducted at the end of each session and included rating the intensity and pleasantness of sweet, salty, sour, and savory solutions at suprathreshold concentrations. Cardiovascular, hormonal, and mood measures were collected throughout the sessions. Participants showed the expected changes in cardiovascular, hormonal, and mood measures in response to stress. Reported intensity of the sweet solution was significantly lower on the stress day than on the rest day. Cortisol level poststress predicted reduced intensity of salt and sour, suggesting that stress-related changes in adrenocortical activity were related to reduced taste intensity. Results indicate that acute stress may alter taste perception, and ongoing research investigates the extent to which these changes mediate effects of stress on appetite.
A triple helix stabilizes the 3′ ends of long noncoding RNAs that lack poly(A) tails

The MALAT1 (metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1) locus is misregulated in many human cancers and produces an abundant long nuclear-retained noncoding RNA. Despite being transcribed by RNA polymerase II, the 3' end of MALAT1 is produced not by canonical cleavage/polyadenylation but instead by recognition and cleavage of a tRNA-like structure by RNase P. Mature MALAT1 thus lacks a poly(A) tail yet is expressed at a level higher than many protein-coding genes in vivo. Here we show that the 3' ends of MALAT1 and the MEN β long noncoding RNAs are protected from 3'-5' exonucleases by highly conserved triple helical structures. Surprisingly, when these structures are placed downstream from an ORF, the transcript is efficiently translated in vivo despite the lack of a poly(A) tail. The triple helix therefore also functions as a translational enhancer, and mutations in this region separate this translation activity from simple effects on RNA stability or transport. We further found that a transcript ending in a triple helix is efficiently repressed by microRNAs in vivo, arguing against a major role for the poly(A) tail in microRNA-mediated silencing. These results provide new insights into how transcripts that lack poly(A) tails are stabilized and regulated and suggest that RNA triple-helical structures likely have key regulatory functions in vivo.
Accuracy of dual photon absorptiometry in excised femurs.

We investigated the accuracy of assessment of bone mineral content (BMC) by dual photon absorptiometry (DPA). Measurements were compared between BMC and ashed weight using two related scanners. The BMC in different locations of the femur was determined. Twelve cadaver femurs were cleaned of all soft tissue, divided into four parts (head, neck, trochanteric region, and shaft), and measured for BMC in an ethanol/water solution. The bones were then ashed and weighed. Volumetric density was also determined. The correlation coefficient between ash weight and BMC was 0.99 with an s.e.e. of 0.51 g and relative error of 4.8%. Similar correlations were seen within each region. The correlation between the machines was 0.99. Differences in volumetric density were found, with the density of the shaft greater than other regions, and the neck greater than the head or trochanteric regions.
Towards a self healing information system for digital libraries

An important area of focus in complex systems development is the capability to adapt to variable runtime environmental resources and to accommodate runtime system failures. The research in this area is broadly termed as “Self Healing” and has recently aroused increasing attention to complex systems. Digital libraries have gained popularity because of the richer features they provide compared to traditional libraries. As more users begin to use digital libraries, addressing downtimes of these valuable resources has become a high priority. Operating and providing access to digital content to anyone, anytime from anywhere in the world, results in a continued rise of administrative overhead for system monitoring and needs continuous human intervention. Given the volume of information and the huge infrastructure of modern libraries, continuous manual system administration is quite costly and not feasible. In this paper we propose a self healing digital library system as the solution to this problem and present the approach of adding self healing capabilities to an existing digital library project, the Digital Library of India (DLI). We also propose a self healing framework that enables successful reuse of our approach to other architecturally similar digital library systems.
Work in progress: Evaluation of an online education portal from the user's perspective: An empirical investigation of a photovoltaics (PV) engineering learning portal, pveducation.org

In the last couple of decades, Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems have captured a lot of interest as a clean, renewable energy option. As a result, PV engineering has become an emerging field in engineering education. In order to meet increased learning requirements, new learning resources, an effective curriculum and proper assessment are needed. Pveducation.org is one of the discipline's oldest learning resources, providing PV content for photovoltaic professionals. The purpose of this paper is (1) evaluating the effectiveness of the pveducation.org learning portal from the user's perspective, and (2) find a relationship between the effectiveness of the website and user's learning gains. This study will conduct a systematic assessment of educational technology by using statistical techniques and data collected through a survey.
Modeling of Transmission Characteristics Across a Cable-Conduit System

Many robotic systems, like surgical robots, robotic hands, and exoskeleton robots, use cable passing through conduits to actuate remote instruments. Cable actuation simplifies the design and allows the actuator to be located at a convenient location, away from the end effector. However, nonlinear frictions between the cable and the conduit account for major losses in tension transmission across the cable, and a model is needed to characterize their effects in order to analyze and compensate for them. Although some models have been proposed in the literature, they are lumped parameter based and restricted to the very special case of a single cable with constant conduit curvature and constant pretension across the cable only. This paper proposes a mathematically rigorous distributed parameter model for cable-conduit actuation with any curvature and initial tension profile across the cable. The model, which is described by a set of partial differential equations in the continuous time-domain, is also discretized for the effective numerical simulation of the cable motion and tension transmission across the cable. Unlike the existing lumped-parameter-based models, the resultant discretized model enables one to accurately simulate the partial-moving/partial-sticking cable motion of the cable-conduit actuation with any curvature and initial tension profile. The model is further extended to cable-conduit actuation in pull-pull configuration using a pair of cables. Various simulations results are presented to reveal the unique phenomena like backlash, cable slacking, interaction between the two cables, and other nonlinear behaviors associated with the cable conduits in pull-pull configuration. These results are verified by experiments using two dc motors coupled with a cable-conduit pair. The experimental setup has been prepared to emulate a typical cable-actuated robotic system. Experimental results are compared with the simulations and various implications are discussed.
EHR Adoption and Cost of Care – Evidence from Patient Safety Indicators

Aim: The adoption and implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) have the potential to reduce cost of care. Empirical evidence on the relationship between EHR adoption and cost reduction in hospital inpatient care, especially in patient safety related services, has been sparse and inconclusive. This study examined the relationship between the level of electronic health records (EHRs) implementation and cost of care in related to patient safety indicators. Methods: Study was cross-sectional. Data were extracted from the 2009 National Inpatient Sample and the 2009 American Hospital Association (AHA) electronic health record implementation survey. Final sample was 2,626,743 discharges from acute care hospitals in the United States. The mixed model regression was used to analyze three levels of EHR implementation and costs related to eleven patient safety indicators. Results: Hospitals with a comprehensive EHR system had marginally significant lower cost per discharge for three patient safety indicators compared to hospitals with no EHR system. Compared to hospitals with no EHR, costs were $4,246 lower for Postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma, $4,205 lower for postoperative pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis, and $4,971 for postoperative wound dehiscence among hospitals with a comprehensive EHR. Costs among hospitals with a basic EHR were not significantly different than those with no EHR. Conclusions: The high level of EHR implementation was moderately associated with low cost of care. Keywords: electronic health records, patient safety indicator, cost of care, health information technology
AN EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUAL ITEM FORECASTING MODELS

A computer simulation experiment was replicated to correct errors in an earlier paper and to compare seven individual item forecasting models across five different demand patterns. Results confirm previous findings that the better forecasting model depends upon the demand pattern and the forecast horizon, as well as the noise level. Nevertheless, exponential double smoothing emerged as the most robust model.
Spectral and polarization sensitivity of photocurrents of amphibian rods in the visible and ultraviolet.

Photocurrents from isolated rods of adults and sub-adults of three species of amphibians, Rana pipiens , Ambystoma tigrinum , and Xenopus laevis , were measured with suction pipette electrodes. The intensity for a half-maximal response was 0.91 ± 0.48 photons μm −2 flash −1 (mean ± s.d ., 10-ms flashes) for Rana , 0.92 ± 0.44 for Ambystoma , and 6.14 ± 1.33 for Xenopus . The mean number of photoisomerizations at half-saturation was 22 ± 12 for Rana , 50 ± 24 for Ambystoma , and 221 ± 48 for Xenopus . The photocurrent per photoisomerization is several times smaller in Xenopus rods than in the other two species. Spectral sensitivity was measured from 277–737 nm with light polarized both parallel and perpendicular to the planes of the membrane disks. Dichroism fell in the near UV and was absent in the region of absorption by tryptophan and tyrosine. Maximum sensitivity of Rana was at 503.9 ± 2.6 nm ( n = 86), and of Ambystoma , 505.8 ± 1.8 nm ( n = 24). Animals from these same batches that were sampled by HPLC had no 3-dehydroretinal (retinal 2 ). Xenopus containing about 94% retinal 2 and 6% retinal 1 had λ max at 519.3 ± 2.7 nm ( n = 11). Spectral position of the β-band, estimated by the method of Stavenga et al. (1993), appears to be at longer wavelengths in amphibian photoreceptors than in other vertebrates. Fits of log sensitivity to a normalized-frequency template that tracks the long-wavelength tail of the α-band (Lamb, 1995) show that the rod pigments of Rana and Ambystoma are slightly narrower than those found in the photoreceptors of fish and mammals.
Impulsive displacement of a quasi-linear viscoelastic material through accurate numerical inversion of the Laplace transform☆

Abstract An analytical model for the one-dimensional, impulsive displacement of a quasi-linear viscoelastic material has been developed. The quasi-linear model of Fung [1] has been used successfully for a wide range of soft biological tissues. Due to the integral definition of linear viscoelastic materials, solutions are conveniently performed in the Laplace transform plane. Complex kernels like the quasilinear model are challenging to invert back to the real plane. Here, the method of Gaver [2] and Stehfest [3] is used to numerically carry Laplace space solutions to the real plane. Parametric results for a basic impulsive disturbance problem are presented. Results indicate that stress wave propagation is weakly dependent on the fast time, slow time ratio and more strongly dependent on the logarithmic damping parameter. Limitations of the numerical inversion method in the face of discontinuities are discussed as well using asymptotic methods. As an alternative to the numerical/polynomial-based Gaver-Stehfest method, a semianalytical regularization function useful near large gradient regions method is developed. A composite method that utilizes both the fully numerical and semianalytical convolution-based method is also described. The composite model provides improved results in terms of reducing computational undershoot and overshoot (wiggles) which limit both the fully numerical and the semianalytical models alone.
Color Set Size Problem with Application to String Matching

The Color Set Size problem is: Given a rooted tree of size n with l leaves colored from 1 to m, m ≤ l, for each vertex u find the number of different leaf colors in the subtree rooted at u. This problem formulation, together with the Generalized Suffix Tree data structure has applications to string matching. This paper gives an optimal sequential solution of the color set size problem and string matching applications including a linear time algorithm for the problem of finding the longest substring common to at least k out of m input strings for all k between 1 and m. In addition, parallel solutions to the above problems are given. These solutions may shed light on problems in computational biology, such as the multiple string alignment problem.
The Divided Nations in the International System

With the seating of the representatives of the People's Republic of China, membership in the United Nations system has now become almost universal. The major exception to the general rule of universality is the exclusion of the divided nations: Germany (combined population: 68,000,000), Korea (combined population: 47,000,000), and Vietnam (combined population: 35,000,000). None of the divided nations hold membership in die United Nations proper, although all three of the Western-affiliated sectors have been given observer status at the UN.
Why is There a Bernard Baruch Handicap

This work describes the work of the American financier and statesman Bernard Baruch in promoting the resort city of Saratoga Springs. The article links the work of Bernard Baruch to his role in maintaining the prestige of the resort as well as his role in supporting horse racing in Saratoga Springs.
Nest-Site Selection and Nest-Cavity Characteristics of Gila Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers

We measured and compared the dimensions, height, and orientation of Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) and Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) nest cavities, and compared saguaros used for nest sites to the saguaros available for both species. Gila Woodpecker nest cavities had smaller entrances, were shallower in the vertical plane of the saguaro, and were deeper in the horizontal plane of the saguaro than Northern Flicker nest cavities. These data can be used to determine whether secondary cavity-nesting species are using Gila Woodpecker cavities, Northern Flicker cavities, or both. The mean height of nest cavities did not differ between species, and the orientation of nest cavities was random for both species. Although saguaro selection differed between the species, both selected the largest saguaros for nest sites. No nests of either species were found in saguaros <5 m tall. The continued existence of the saguaro cavity-nesting community is dependent upon the survival of large saguaros and adequate saguaro reproduction, despite human development of their desert habitat.
Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis with Cerebellar Swelling and Tonsillar Herniation

A 3 year-old male child who presented with fever and cerebellar ataxia two weeks after varicella was subsequently diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a report from the Hospital de Cruces, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain.
Advanced cargo security handheld network access device

With the aim of improving the security for shipping containers used in a global supply chain, the Department of Homeland Security is developing the technical requirements for an open container security system communications interface. The primary purpose of this system is to monitor the status of shipping containers equipped with electronic chain of custody devices, and channel this information to a secure data consolidation server. A secure handheld network access device (HNAD) is intended to integrate with and extend the functionality of the Department of Homeland Security's Advance Container Security System. By replicating most of the functionality provided by a Data Consolidation Server, a handheld unit can be used to provide users with a secure and convenient method to wirelessly monitor and control the status of the container security devices in the area. Once a user has obtained the necessary security keys to enable wireless communication with the security devices, the handheld unit will join an existing IEEE 802.15.4 wireless network and permit the secure exchange of information between itself and the security devices. This study presents a secure Handheld Network Access Device using an off the shelf phone running the Android OS. This study also extends the phones wireless capability via a USB-to-XBee dongle to enable communications with secure locks using the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol.
Classifying Spaces and Homology Decompositions

Suppose that G is a finite group. We look at the problem of expressing the classifying space BG, up to mod p cohomology, as a homotopy colimit of classifying spaces of smaller groups. A number of interesting tools come into play, such as simplicial sets and spaces, nerves of categories, equivariant homotopy theory, and the transfer.
Revisiting Laudato si' in the Context of the COP21 Paris Climate Agreement

In their reflections on Laudato si', the second encyclical by Pope Francis, several authors from the November/December issue of Environment (Hulme, Stinson, Tucker) mention the United Nations 21st ...
Cracking problem solved

The structures that we see around us in Nature, such as clouds, snowflakes, or vortices in a flowing stream, are forms of organisation that appear in non-equilibrium systems. One of the great successes of condensed matter physics in recent years has been the development of a unified framework for understanding the formation of patterns in dissipative systems. We now understand such problems as the formation of structure in convecting fluids (Rayleigh-Benard convection) and the shapes of solidifying substances. A common feature of such problems is the existence of a "control parameter" quantifying how far the system is from equilibrium. For convection, the control parameter is the temperature gradient, while for a solidifying substance it is the velocity of the solidification front. Typically, for small values of the control parameter uniform behaviour is observed, and for larger values structure is seen at a certain spatial wavelength. The precise way in which this wavelength is determined is referred to as the problem of wavelength selection.
Comparison of two frailty indices in the physicians’ health study

Abstract Background As the population ages it is important to identify frailty, a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality, and often an important unmeasured confounder. We sought to develop a frailty index in the Physician’s Health Study (PHS) and estimate the association with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study. Annual questionnaire assessed mood, function and health status. Two frailty scores were compared – cumulative deficit frailty index (PHS FI) and modified Study of Osteoporotic Fracture (mSOF) frailty score. Endpoints committee confirmed mortality. Results 12,180 male physicians ≥60 years were analyzed. Mean(SD) follow-up was 10(3) years, 2168 deaths occurred. PHS FI identified 4412 (36%) physicians robust, 5305 (44%) pre-frail, and 2463 (20%) frail, while mSOF identified 7323 (61%) robust, 3505 (29%) pre-frail and 1215 (10%) frail. Age-standardized rate of death was lower among subjects identified as robust using the PHS FI, 11/1000 person-years (PY) (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 9.5–11.9) compared to 14/1000PY (95% CI: 13.5–15.4) using mSOF [P-difference Conclusion The PHS FI outperformed mSOF in identifying risk of death particularly in robust and pre-frail categories. Similar indices can be created in existing datasets to identify frail individuals and where appropriate account for frailty, an often unmeasured confounder.
New Opportunities in Materials Research With Pulsed Neutrons

Neutrons have played an important role in materials research for the last 30 years. Recently a new method of producing neutrons, with proton accelerators and specifically designed targets and moderators, has been developed. Many of the techniques developed with these powerful spallation sources open new opportunities for materials research, some of which will be covered in this article. An effort will be made to explain the types of science that can be done, rather than details of the techniques. Spallation sources are being operated as user facilities so the inexperienced can count on expert assistance.
Bayesian nonparametric statistics: A new toolkit for discovery in cancer research

Many commonly used statistical methods for data analysis or clinical trial design rely on incorrect assumptions or assume an over-simplified framework that ignores important information. Such statistical practices may lead to incorrect conclusions about treatment effects or clinical trial designs that are impractical or that do not accurately reflect the investigator's goals. Bayesian nonparametric (BNP) models and methods are a very flexible new class of statistical tools that can overcome such limitations. This is because BNP models can accurately approximate any distribution or function and can accommodate a broad range of statistical problems, including density estimation, regression, survival analysis, graphical modeling, neural networks, classification, clustering, population models, forecasting and prediction, spatiotemporal models, and causal inference. This paper describes 3 illustrative applications of BNP methods, including a randomized clinical trial to compare treatments for intraoperative air leaks after pulmonary resection, estimating survival time with different multi-stage chemotherapy regimes for acute leukemia, and evaluating joint effects of targeted treatment and an intermediate biological outcome on progression-free survival time in prostate cancer.
A Transparent and Consistent Approach to Assess US Outpatient Drug Costs for Use in Cost-Effectiveness Analyses.

Abstract Background Assessment of drug costs for cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) in the United States is not straightforward because the prices paid for drugs are not publicly available and differ between payers. CEAs have relied on list prices that do not reflect the rebates and discounts known to be associated with these purchases. Objectives To review available cost measures and propose a novel strategy that is transparent, consistent, and applicable to all CEAs taking a US health care sector perspective or a societal payer's perspective. Methods We propose using the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), the Veterans Affairs Federal Supply Schedule (VAFSS), and their midpoint as the upper bound, lower bound, and base case, respectively, to estimate net drug prices for various payers. We compare this approach with wholesale acquisition cost (WAC), the most common measure observed in our literature review. The minimum WAC is used to provide the most conservative comparison. Results Our sample consists of 1436 brand drugs and 1599 generic drugs. On average, the upper bound (NADAC) is 1% and 9.8% lower than the WAC for brand and generic drugs respectively, whereas the lower bound (VAFSS) is 48.3% and 54.2% lower than the WAC. The NADAC is less than the WAC in 89.6% of drug groups. The distributions of these relationships do not show a clear mode and have wide variation. Conclusions Our study suggests that the WAC may be an overestimate for the base case because the minimum WAC is higher than the NADAC for most drugs. Our approach balances uncertainty and lack of data for the cost of pharmaceuticals with the need for a transparent and consistent approach for valid CEAs.
A Human-Grounded Evaluation Benchmark for Local Explanations of Machine Learning

Research in interpretable machine learning proposes different computational and human subject approaches to evaluate model saliency explanations. These approaches measure different qualities of explanations to achieve diverse goals in designing interpretable machine learning systems. In this paper, we propose a human attention benchmark for image and text domains using multi-layer human attention masks aggregated from multiple human annotators. We then present an evaluation study to evaluate model saliency explanations obtained using Grad-cam and LIME techniques. We demonstrate our benchmark's utility for quantitative evaluation of model explanations by comparing it with human subjective ratings and ground-truth single-layer segmentation masks evaluations. Our study results show that our threshold agnostic evaluation method with the human attention baseline is more effective than single-layer object segmentation masks to ground truth. Our experiments also reveal user biases in the subjective rating of model saliency explanations.
Sleep and mood during hospitalization for high‐dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic rescue in pediatric medulloblastoma

OBJECTIVE Disrupted sleep is common in pediatric cancer, which is associated with psychological distress and may impact neural recovery. Information regarding sleep during pediatric brain tumor treatment is limited. This study aimed to describe objective sleep-wake patterns and examine the sleep-mood relation in youth hospitalized for intensive chemotherapy and stem cell rescue. METHODS Participants included 37 patients (M age = 9.6 ± 4.2 years) enrolled on a medulloblastoma protocol (SJMB03) and their parents. Respondents completed a mood disturbance measure on 3 days, and patients wore an actigraph for 5 days as an objective estimate of sleep-wake patterns. General linear mixed models examined the relation between nocturnal sleep and next-day mood, as well as mood and that night's sleep. RESULTS Sleep duration was deficient, sleep efficiency was poor, and daytime napping was common, with large between-subjects variability. There were minimal mood concerns across all days. The sleep and next-day mood relationship was nonsignificant (P > .05). Greater parent-reported child mood disturbance on day 2 was associated with decreased same-night sleep (P < .001) and greater patient-reported mood disturbance was associated with greater same-night sleep latency (P = .036). CONCLUSIONS Patients with medulloblastoma are vulnerable to disturbed sleep during hospitalization, and mood may be an important correlate to consider. Sleep and mood are modifiable factors that may be targeted to maximize daytime functioning.
Patterns of RSA and observed distress during the still-face paradigm predict later attachment, compliance and behavior problems: A person-centered approach.

This study examined profiles of infant observed distress and physiological regulation indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) levels during the still-face paradigm at 6 months using a person-centered approach. Mothers and infants (N = 206) participated in the study when infants were 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years old. Attachment was assessed at 1 year via the Strange Situation. Children's compliance behaviors were assessed at 2 years during a toy clean-up task. Mothers reported children's behavior problems at 4.5 years. Latent profile analysis yielded four profiles: highly distressed, but regulating; over-regulated; resilient to distress; and under-regulated. Infants in the “resilient to distress” profile characterized by high RSA levels and low negative affect exhibited the most adaptive outcomes such as lower attachment avoidance, higher compliance, and lower behavior problems. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of considering patterns of behavioral and physiological indicators of infant emotionality together for understanding adaptive functioning.
Impact of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) on the Small Southern Pine Engraver (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in a Loblolly Pine Bolt Assay1

Abstract The small southern pine engraver, Ips avulsus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is one member of a guild of southern pine bark beetles that causes millions of dollars of losses to southern U.S. pine forests annually. Our objective was to determine the impact of a commercial preparation of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) in protecting pine host plant tissue from colonization and damage by I. avulsus and on the B. bassiana–induced mortality of I. avulsus adults during the first 2 wk of host attack. The field trials were conducted in the Kisatchie National Forest (Rapides Parish, LA) using a small-bolt technique. Results showed that the I. avulsus adults successfully colonized both the B. bassiana–treated bolts and the control bolts within the first week of field exposure. Although the formulation did not protect bolts from attack, it caused significantly higher mortality of I. avulsus adults in B. bassiana–treated bolts than in ...
Susceptibility of the Algal Toxin Microcystin-LR to UV/Chlorine Process: Comparison with Chlorination

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), an algal toxin (cyanotoxin) common in sources of drinking water, poses a major human health hazard due to its high toxicity. In this study, UV/chlorine was evaluated as a potentially practical and effective process for the degradation of MC-LR. Via mass spectrometry analysis, fewer chlorinated-MC-LR products were detected with UV/chlorine treatment than with chlorination, and a transformation pathway for MC-LR by UV/chlorine was proposed. Different degrees of rapid degradation of MC-LR were observed with varying pH (6-10.4), oxidant dosage (0.5-3 mg L-1), natural organic matter (0-7 mg L-1), and natural water sources. In contrast to the formation of primarily chloroform and dichloroacetic acid in deionized water where MC-LR serves as the only carbon source, additional chlorinated disinfection byproducts were produced when sand filtered natural water was used as a background matrix. The UV/chlorine treated samples also showed quantitatively less cytotoxicity in vitro in HepaRG human liver cell line tests than chlorination treated samples. Following 16 min (96 mJ cm-2) of UV irradiation combined with 1.5 mg L-1 chlorine treatment, the cell viability of the samples increased from 80% after exposure to 1 mg L-1 MC-LR to 90%, while chlorination treatment evidenced no reduction in cytotoxicity with the same reaction time.