cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Context-aware Dynamic Data-driven Pattern Classification ∗

This work aims to mathematically formalize the notion of context, with the purpose of allowing contextual decision-making in order to improve performance in dynamic data driven classification systems. We present definitions for both intrinsic context, i.e. factors which directly affect sensor measurements for a given event, as well as extrinsic context, i.e. factors which do not affect the sensor measurements directly, but do affect the interpretation of collected data. Supervised and unsupervised modeling techniques to derive context and context labels from sensor data are formulated. Here, supervised modeling incorporates the a priori known factors affecting the sensing modalities, while unsupervised modeling autonomously discovers the structure of those factors in sensor data. Context-aware event classification algorithms are developed by adapting the classification boundaries, dependent on the current operational context. Improvements in context-aware classification have been quantified and validated in an unattended sensor-fence application for US Border Monitoring. Field data, collected with seismic sensors on different ground types, are analyzed in order to classify two types of walking across the border, namely, normal and stealthy. The classification is shown to be strongly dependent on the context (specifically, soil type: gravel or moist soil).
Significance-linked connected component analysis for low bit rate image coding

Recent success in wavelet image coding is mainly attributed to recognition of the importance of data organization and representation. There have been several very competitive wavelet coders developed, namely, Shapiro's embedded zerotree wavelets (EZW), Servetto et al.'s morphological representation of wavelet data (MRWD), and Said and Pearlman's set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT). In this paper, we develop a novel wavelet image coder called significance-linked connected component analysis (SLCCA) of wavelet coefficients that extends MRWD by exploiting both within-subband clustering of significant coefficients and cross-subband dependency in significant fields. Extensive computer experiments on both natural and texture images show convincingly that the proposed SLCCA outperforms EZW, MRWD, and SPIHT. For example, for the "Barbara" image, at 0.5 bpp SLCCA outperforms EZW and SPIHT by 1.75 dB and 0.89 dB in PSNR, respectively. This outstanding performance is achieved without using any optimal bit allocation procedure, thus both the encoding and decoding procedures are fast.
Models and methods for derivation of in vivo neuroreceptor parameters with PET and SPECT reversible radiotracers.

Abstract The science of quantitative analysis of PET and SPECT neuroreceptor imaging studies has grown considerably over the past decade. A number of methods have been proposed in which receptor parameter estimation results from fitting data to a model of the underlying kinetics of ligand uptake in the brain. These approaches have come to be collectively known as model-based methods and several have received widespread use. Here, we briefly review the most frequently used methods and examine their strengths and weaknesses. Kinetic modeling is the most direct implementation of the compartment models, but with some tracers accurate input function measurement and good compartment configuration identification can be difficult to obtain. Other methods were designed to overcome some particular vulnerability to error of classical kinetic modeling, but introduced new vulnerabilities in the process. Reference region methods obviate the need for arterial plasma measurement, but are not as robust to violations of the underlying modeling assumptions as methods using the arterial input function. Graphical methods give estimates of V T without the requirement of compartment model specification, but provide a biased estimator in the presence of statistical noise. True equilibrium methods are quite robust, but their use is limited to experiments with tracers that are suitable for constant infusion. In conclusion, there is no universally "best" method that is applicable to all neuroreceptor imaging studies, and carefully evaluation of model-based methods is required for each radiotracer.
Near-infrared transmission and emission characteristics of frequency selective surfaces and its nano-fabrication issues

Summary form only given. Frequency selective surfaces consist of conducting patch or aperture periodic arrays. They have been recognized for some time, as spectrally selective filters at microwave, millimeter and infrared wavelengths. Several manufacturing techniques are being considered to meet the demand for fast, reliable and cost-effective nano-lithography. One possible solution to nanostructure manufacturing is nanoimprint lithography. This technique is based on the physical deformation of the resist cast on a substrate by a mask with submicron structures on its surface. It offers a cost-effective alternative to DEBL. We will present a comparative study of FSSs fabrication by electron-beam and nanoimprint lithographies We provide a comparison between theory and experiment on the spectral properties of several FSSs in the 2-15 /spl mu/m range, examining several factors that influence the resonant drop in transmission of the FSSs: shape, size, spacing and sheet resistance of the elements and dielectric properties of the surroundings.
Cell-cycle regulation

A report on the 'cell-cycle regulation' minisymposium at the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology, Washington DC, USA, 8-12 December 2001.
Electrostatic calculations and model-building suggest that DNA bound to CAP is sharply bent.

Two observations suggest that DNA, upon binding to E. coli catabolite gene activator protein (CAP), is sharply bent by a total angle of at least 100–150 degrees: (1) The electrostatic protential field of CAP shows regions of positive potential that from a ramp on 3 sides of the protein. (2) The DNA binding site size as determined by DNA ethylation interference with binding, (Majors: “Control of the E. coli Lac Operon at the Molecular Level.” Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University, Cambridge, 1977) and by relative affinities of DNA fragments of various lengths (Liu-Johnson et al.: Cell 47:995–1005, 1986) requires severe bending of the DNA to maintain its favorable electrostatic contact with the protein.
Expression of β-lactamase by recombinant Escherichia coli strains containing plasmids of different sizes—effects of pH, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen

The characteristics of growth and synthesis of plasmid-encoded protein were studied for strains of recombinant E. coli JM103 which carried the beta-lactamase gene on plasmids of different sizes. The plasmids used included the vector pUC8 and its recombinant derivatives containing varying-sized inserts of Drosophila DNA (not expressed in E. coli). Luria broth (LB) and a minimal medium (M9) supplemented in some cases with additional inorganic phosphate were used as growth media. There was no evidence of segregational instability in these experiments, where no antibiotic selection pressure was employed. Responses of the recombinant strains to variations in environmental parameters including pH, phosphate concentration in the medium, and aeration rate were examined. While the cell growth rate in LB decreased with pH in the range 7.0-8.0, the bulk beta-lactamase activity was maximized at an intermediate pH. The recombinant cell growth rate decreases with increasing plasmid size in the minimal medium, while such decrease is not significant when a rich medium such as LB is used. There is an intermediate plasmid size in the range studied (2.7-8.7 kb), at which beta-lactamase activity is maximum. While reduction in aeration rate (which determines the dissolved oxygen level) is detrimental for cell growth, it is beneficial for beta-lactamase synthesis. The bulk beta-lactamase activity therefore exhibits a maximum with respect to aeration rate. Cell growth and beta-lactamase production are affected in a similar manner by phosphate concentration in the minimal medium and therefore both are maximized at the same phosphate concentration. This investigation demonstrates clearly how the production of a recombinant plasmid-encoded protein can be maximized by proper manipulation of culture conditions and how it is affected by plasmid size.
The Effect of Gentamicin on Human Renal Proximal Tubular Cells

Human renal proximal tubular cells were exposed to gentamkin (0,O. 1,0.5, 1.0,5.0, 10.0 mg/ml medium) for 3,7, 10, and 14 days. Cells were counted and cell viability was estimated by lactate dehydrogenase release. In addition, brush border-associated (y-glutamyltransferase) and lysosomal (acid phosphatase, N-acetyl-8glucosaminidase, and sphingomyelinase) enzyme activities were measured (0.01, 1 .O, 3.3 mg/ml gentamicin for 3, 7, 10 and 14 days). The number of cells did not change significantly after gentamicin treatment. Cell viability, however, significantly decreased after 3 and 7 days exposure to 5 and 10 mg/ml gentamicin. Total lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly decreased at 7, 10, and 14 days exposure to gentamicin 15.0 mg/ml. y-Glutamyltransferase, acid phosphatase, and sphingomyelinase were decreased at 3,7, and 10 days exposure to gentamicin 11.0 mg/ml. Continued exposure to gentamicin 5 1.0 mg/ml appeared to have little or no effect on the activity of these enzymes at 14 days. N-Acetyl-8-glucosaminidase activity, in contrast, was elevated (12O-140% control) in the gentamicin-treated (2 1.0 mg/ml) groups at all time periods studied. Thus, gentamicin exposure resulted in changes in some of the enzyme activities in human renal proximal tubular cell cultures, but longer exposure (14 days) to gentamicin (5 1 .O mg/ml) resulted in a return to control levels of some activities.
Higher Dimensional Black Holes in Compactified Space-times

The Majumdar-Papapetrou solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations are generalized to asymptotically flat (N+1)-dimensional space-times. These new solutions are then used to construct black-hole solutions in which the extra dimensions are compactified on a torus. Conjectures about similar constructions for the vacuum Einstein equations are also discussed.
Effect of aspartame on plasma amino acid profiles of diabetic patients with chronic renal failure

A randomized, double-blind study was conducted to determine the possible effects of aspartame on the plasma amino acid profiles of 23 diabetic patients with renal failure who were undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Subjects were given a single dose of 10 mg aspartame/kg (approximately equivalent to 25 packets of Equal [NutraSweet Consumer Products, Inc, Chicago, IL] or the amount of phenylalanine in a 300-mL glass of milk) or a placebo in a crossover study design. Three postdialysis blood samples were drawn just before and 1 and 2 h after aspartame or placebo consumption. After aspartame consumption statistically significant increases in only two amino acids, phenylalanine and tyrosine, were noted at 1 and 2 h when compared with placebo values. The increases in phenylalanine were within the normal postprandial range for healthy subjects; no other increases in essential or nonessential amino acids, except for tyrosine, were detected. This study supports the view that aspartame is safe for diabetic subjects with chronic renal failure.
Architecture for Variable-Length Combined FFT, DCT, and MWT Transform Hardware for a Multi-ModeWireless System

We propose a novel combined wireless baseband processor architecture targeting the fast Fourier transform (FFT) for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), the discrete cosine transform (DCT) for video and audio compression, and the modified Walsh transform (MWT) for demodulation of the complementary code key (CCK) in the wireless standard 802.11b. The architecture is variable-length and is suitable for multi-mode and multi-standard OFDM communication systems such as 802.11a, digital audio broadcasting (DAB), digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T), very-high-speed digital subscriber loop (VDSL), asymmetric digital subscriber loop (ADSL), and also for 802.11b. It also does joint photographic expert group (JPEG) and moving picture expert group (MPEG) texture en-/decoding. The combined architecture uses 42.5% fewer multipliers, and 35% fewer logic gates in the non-multiplier hardware, than three individual cores. It has a signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) of 46.5dB with 8 input bits for a 1,024-size FFT. It saves 28.6% of the dynamic and 37% of the static power
A Note on Parameter Estimation Under a t -Model

We consider estimating the parameters of a t distribution. The maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) do not have closed expressions. In this note we propose several estimators of the parameters, including some approximations of the exact MLEs, and compare them in terms of standardized bias and mean squared error. Among other things, we have presented a simple approach to estimate the degrees of freedom efficiently.
An iterative algorithm for single-frequency estimation

An algorithm for the estimation of the frequency of a complex sinusoid in noise is proposed. The estimator consists of multiple applications of lowpass filtering and decimation, frequency estimation by linear prediction, and digital heterodyning. The estimator has a significantly reduced threshold relative to existing phase-based algorithms and performance close to that of maximum likelihood estimation. In addition, the mean-squared error performance is within 0.7 dB of the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) at signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) above threshold. Unlike many autocorrelation and phase-based methods, the proposed algorithm's performance is uniform across a frequency range of -/spl pi/ to /spl pi/. The computational complexity of the algorithm is shown to be favorable compared with maximum likelihood estimation via the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm when significant zero-padding is required.
Toxicity of arsenite and arsenate to the marine macroalga Champia Parvula (rhodophyta)

By a previously established test procedure that uses 4.5 μM phosphate in the medium, the marine red alga Champiaparvula (C. Agardh) Harvey was shown to be more sensitive to arsenite [As(III)] than to arsenate [As(V)]. Mature cystocarps (evidence of sexual reproduction) were formed when plants were exposed to 65 μg As(III)/L, but not when exposed to 95 μg As(III)/L. Three hundred micrograms As(III)/L was sufficient to kill C. parvula. Using the standardized test, plants grew just as well in 10,000 μg As(V)/L as they did in the controls; however, sexual reproduction did not occur at this concentration. Phosphate concentration up to 9.1 μM had little or no effect on As(III) toxicity. Arsenate toxicity, however, was inversely proportional to the amount of phosphate in the medium. In the absence of added phosphate, As(V) toxicity was similar to that of As(III), except plants were still alive at 1,076 μg As(V)/L (although they did not grow).
Insights from Exemplar Practices on Achieving Organizational Structures in Primary Care

Purpose: Interprofessional practice (IPP) is associated with better patient care outcomes and patient and provider satisfaction, yet little is known about the organizational structures that support effective IPP. Methods: We selected 9 diverse clinical practice sites with exemplary IPP and conducted site visits with nonparticipant observations and interviewed 80 physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, medical and hospital assistants, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinic managers, physical and occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, social workers, psychologists, and others. We independently coded field notes and interviews and identified themes and trends using a grounded theory approach. Sites were evaluated for IPP using key features identified by the 2011 Interprofessional Education Collaboration Expert Panel. Results: The primary themes at sites with high IPP were coordination of care and mutual respect. Four key organizational features were associated with these 2 themes: independent responsibilities for each professional; organizational structures for providers to learn about each other9s roles; a structure and culture promoting accessible, frequent communication about patients; and strong leadership in IPP-supportive values. Conclusions: To achieve interprofessional collaboration, practice teams require structural supports that facilitate coordination of care and mutual respect.
Plasma Exchange in the Treatment of Immune Disease

Plasma exchange was investigated as an alternative to the use of toxic drugs to remove unwanted antibody. Studies in rabbits immunized with bovine serum albumin demonstrate that exchange transfusion after a primary immunization results in a rebound of antibody to above preexchange levels. However, exchange transfusion seven, 11, or 18 days after secondary immunization results in permanent lowering of antibody levels. Plasma exchange with the continuous flow centrifuge was used in four patients with hematologic diseases. White cell isoantibodies were removed in a septic leukopenic patient, permitting white cell transfusions. Two patients with immune thrombocytopenia were exchanges; one showed prompt and permanent elevation of platelet count, while the other did not improve. A patient with immune hemolytic anemia had stabilization of hemoglobin levels and decreased Coombs reactivity following plasma exchange.
Emerging metrics in technology transfer I. Case studies in the life sciences

Technology transfer (TT) from academia to industry is one of the key components that is required in the translation of basic research discoveries into commercial opportunities that benefit humanity. This paper examines the TT process at four premier universities and research institutions across the USA: Harvard University, Emory University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and The Scripps Research Institute. In this inaugural publication in a series of related publications studying multiple aspects of TT, we develop a variety of initial metrics and ratios measuring critical factors contributing to the success of TT and provide a generic model that can address certain bottlenecks in the process and enhance its efficiency.
Fecal Incontinence in Adults

A 53-year-old otherwise healthy woman presents with a 2-year history of intermittent fecal incontinence. Because of embarrassment, she has curtailed her social and professional activities. Physical activity often precipitates an episode, and she wears absorbent pads. She has occasional urinary incontinence when she coughs or sneezes. There is no history of gastrointestinal or rectal surgery and no neurologic symptoms. Physical examination reveals no perianal deformity or rectal prolapse. The tone of the anal canal is adequate, whereas contractions of the anal sphincter muscle and the puborectalis muscle are weak. On the patient’s bearing down, there is no rectal prolapse, and the perineal descent is approximately 2 cm. How should she be evaluated and treated? T h e C l i nic a l Probl e m Fecal incontinence is a devastating nonfatal illness, resulting in considerable embarrassment and anxiety in those who have it. It affects 2 to 17% of people living in the community and almost half of all nursing home residents. 1 Many affected persons do not voluntarily report fecal incontinence to their physicians and must be asked about it directly. 2 The prevalence of fecal incontinence is increased among women, the elderly, persons with poor health status or physical limitations, and those residing in nursing homes. 2 Other risk factors associated with fecal incontinence in adults include rectal radiation therapy (e.g., for prostate cancer), pregnancy, injury to the sphincter or nerve damage associated with vaginal delivery, anorectal surgical procedures (e.g., sphincterotomy for anal fissures), diarrhea alone or in association with the irritable bowel syndrome, and fecal impaction. Neurologic conditions (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s disease) and diabetes are also risk factors. Continence relies on the appropriate functioning of the puborectalis muscle and the internal and external anal sphincter muscles, which encircle the anal canal (Fig. 1). Factors such as stool consistency, rectal and colonic storage capacity, perception of rectal sensation, and cognitive and behavioral functioning also play important roles. An abnormality in any of these factors may result in fecal incontinence.
Growth and Properties of Single Crystals of Hexagonal Ferrites

Single crystals of hexagonal ferrites up to 1/2 in. long were grown from the system NaFeO2-Fe2O3-BaO-MeO, where Me = divalent Zn, Co, Ni, or Mg. NaFeO2 was the flux from which crystals were grown in platinum crucibles from a maximum temperature of 1250° to 1375°C. More than 150 single-crystal growth experiments were attempted and the reaction products were studied by X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. Stability data for the principal single-crystal products are given for initial compositions lying in quaternary planes. Such planes were considered for BaO/MeO ratios corresponding to the compounds 1/1 for Ba2Me2Fe12O22(Y) and Ba2Me2Fe28O46(X), 3/2 for Ba3Me2Fe24O41(Z), 2/1 for Ba4Me2Fe36O60(U), and 1/2 for BaMe2-Fe16O27(W)(Me = Zn, Co, Ni, or Mg). A number of adjoining planes were also considered. All the five known structure types were grown as single crystals. A series of four new hexagonal ferrite structures was discovered. These were derived from Z by systematically adding blocks of Y. Magnetization as a function of temperature and field was investigated for crystals of two structure types. The room-temperature ferromagnetic resonance and effective anisotropy were studied for substituted crystals of the same two structure types.
Work-Life Balance: Hopeless Endeavor or Rather, a True Privilege?

When I agreed to write this opinion piece on work–life balance, I quickly added it to my office whiteboard to-do list: “Work-Life Balance – October.” These four words generated much discussion – from jokes about the short timetable that I have to achieve the perfect work–life balance to conversations about how we are all trying to find work–life balance.
Expanding Ex-Im's Mandate is a Big Mistake

Throughout its history, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has limited its activities mostly to financing and guaranteeing U.S. export transactions. But in anticipation of Ex-Im’s charter expiry on May 31, 2012, the Obama administration has called for a massive and unprecedented new role for the Ex-Im Bank: to finance U.S. corporations’ domestic sales, as well. The bank was first established in the 1930s to finance exports to the Soviet Union, but long after the fall of Communism it still exists, picking favorites among U.S. producers. It has special programs for certain industries, acting as a sort of financier of industrial policy, and puts its financial muscle behind politically connected firms, leaving taxpayers exposed to tens of billions of dollars of potential losses on loan guarantees. One of those chosen firms, incidentally, was Solyndra — the notorious and now-bankrupt company into which the U.S. government sunk more than $500 million of taxpayers’ money in subsidies and loan guarantees. According to the Ex-Im Bank’s 2011 Annual Report, Solyndra received a $10 million loan guarantee from Ex-Im, which financed a sale of Solyndra products to a customer in Belgium. A state credit agency that dispenses tens of billions of taxpayer dollars mainly to large U.S. corporations to underwrite their export sales distorts markets enough. But if the bank’s supporters and the Obama administration have their way, Ex-Im will start to finance the purchase of American goods in the United States as well, clearing the way for even more intervention in international commerce and the domestic economy than already exists.
Endoscopic Stent Management of Postoperative Anastomotic Leaks and Strictures After Foregut Surgery

Introduction: Anastomotic complications after foregut surgery are a morbid technical complication and include leaks, fistulas, and late strictures. The management of these complications can be challenging, and when possible, it may be desirable to avoid complicated reoperation. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively managed database in order to identify patients who had undergone endoscopic stent placement after foregut surgery. Data was collected on patient demographics, preoperative workup, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes. Results: From October of 2009 to November of 2014, 49 patients (mean age 51.5; 37 women and 12 men) underwent endoscopic stent placement for anastomotic complication following upper gastrointestinal (UGI) surgery. The mean time from index operation to endoscopic stent placement was 317 days (range 1-5280 days). 41 (83.7%) of index surgeries were bariatric operations, and the remaining 8 included cancer surgery and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). A total of 56 stents were deployed, and of these the majority were partially covered self-expanding metal stents (81.6%) and the remainder were fully covered self-expanding metal stents (20.4%). Indications for stent placement were leak (n 1⁄4 27), stricture (n 1⁄4 15), fistula (including gastrogastric and enterocutaneous, n 1⁄4 4), anastomotic perforation (n 1⁄4 1), and bleeding (n 1⁄4 1). Symptomatic improvement occurred in 73.5% of patients (n 1⁄4 36) and early oral intake was initiated in 51% of patients (n 1⁄4 25). 17 patients required subsequent stent exchange for continued symptomatology. No patients required reoperation. Stent migration occurred in 3 patients which was addressed endoscopically. There were no deaths in our series. The average duration of stent placement was 21.2 days (range 1-53 days). The average followup was 352.6 days (range 13-1912 days). Conclusion: We propose that in the appropriate setting, endoscopic stent management of anastomotic complications following upper gastrointestinal surgery is an effective and less invasive therapeutic approach. Advantages include expediting early enteral nutrition and decreased morbidity compared to reoperation.
Hypoxanthine and lactate concentrations in lambs during hypoxic and stagnant hypoxia

To determine the suitability of plasma hypoxanthine as a marker of tissue hypoxia, we studied the relationship of arterial plasma hypoxanthine and blood lactate concentrations to the cumulative O2 deficit during hypoxemia and low cardiac output (hypoxic and stagnant hypoxia, respectively). Eight intact, chronically catheterized lambs were studied using ketamine sedation. Comparable reductions in O2 transport and consumption were produced with each form of hypoxia. Lactate was linearly related to O2 deficit during both forms of hypoxia, although the slope of the regression was greater for low cardiac output (0.049) than hypoxemia (0.032). Hypoxanthine was linearly related to cumulative O2 deficit only during low cardiac output. During hypoxemia, hypoxanthine concentration initially increased but plateaued with further increases in O2 deficit. The discrepancy in response of hypoxanthine was most likely caused by differences in the rate of elimination between stagnant and hypoxic hypoxia. We concluded that plasma hypoxanthine concentration was not a reliable marker for tissue hypoxia because it differed with the cause of O2 deprivation and did not necessarily reflect the severity of O2 deprivation.
Sex and cognition: gender and cognitive functions

Gender stereotypes hold that males outperform females in mathematics and spatial tests, and females outperform males on verbal tests. According to meta-analyses, however, among both children and adults, females perform equally to males on mathematics assessments. The gender difference in verbal skills is small and varies depending on the type of skill assessed (e.g., vocabulary, essay writing). The gender difference in 3D mental rotation shows a moderate advantage for males, but this gender difference occurs in the absence of a spatial curriculum in the schools. Meta-analyses of gender differences across a wide array of psychological qualities support the Gender Similarities Hypothesis, which states that males and females are quite similar on most-but not all-psychological variables.
Urinary bladder segmentation in CT urography using deep-learning convolutional neural network and level sets

Purpose: The authors are developing a computerized system for bladder segmentation in CT urography (CTU) as a critical component for computer-aided detection of bladder cancer. Methods: A deep-learning convolutional neural network (DL-CNN) was trained to distinguish between the inside and the outside of the bladder using 160 000 regions of interest (ROI) from CTU images. The trained DL-CNN was used to estimate the likelihood of an ROI being inside the bladder for ROIs centered at each voxel in a CTU case, resulting in a likelihood map. Thresholding and hole-filling were applied to the map to generate the initial contour for the bladder, which was then refined by 3D and 2D level sets. The segmentation performance was evaluated using 173 cases: 81 cases in the training set (42 lesions, 21 wall thickenings, and 18 normal bladders) and 92 cases in the test set (43 lesions, 36 wall thickenings, and 13 normal bladders). The computerized segmentation accuracy using the DL likelihood map was compared to that using a likelihood map generated by Haar features and a random forest classifier, and that using our previous conjoint level set analysis and segmentation system (CLASS) without using a likelihood map. All methods were evaluated relative to the 3D hand-segmented reference contours. Results: With DL-CNN-based likelihood map and level sets, the average volume intersection ratio, average percent volume error, average absolute volume error, average minimum distance, and the Jaccard index for the test set were 81.9% ± 12.1%, 10.2% ± 16.2%, 14.0% ± 13.0%, 3.6 ± 2.0 mm, and 76.2% ± 11.8%, respectively. With the Haar-feature-based likelihood map and level sets, the corresponding values were 74.3% ± 12.7%, 13.0% ± 22.3%, 20.5% ± 15.7%, 5.7 ± 2.6 mm, and 66.7% ± 12.6%, respectively. With our previous CLASS with local contour refinement (LCR) method, the corresponding values were 78.0% ± 14.7%, 16.5% ± 16.8%, 18.2% ± 15.0%, 3.8 ± 2.3 mm, and 73.9% ± 13.5%, respectively. Conclusions: The authors demonstrated that the DL-CNN can overcome the strong boundary between two regions that have large difference in gray levels and provides a seamless mask to guide level set segmentation, which has been a problem for many gradient-based segmentation methods. Compared to our previous CLASS with LCR method, which required two user inputs to initialize the segmentation, DL-CNN with level sets achieved better segmentation performance while using a single user input. Compared to the Haar-feature-based likelihood map, the DL-CNN-based likelihood map could guide the level sets to achieve better segmentation. The results demonstrate the feasibility of our new approach of using DL-CNN in combination with level sets for segmentation of the bladder.
Ion-induced reorientation and distribution of pentanone in the air-water boundary layer.

Organic material at the surface of atmospheric aerosols is ubiquitous and plays an important role in Earth's atmosphere. Small ketones, such as 3-pentanone, are found in aerosols and as surface-active species on aerosols. This study uses 3-pentanone as a model ketone to understand how such molecules adsorb at the vapor!water interface on aqueous solutions containing sulfate, carbonate, or chloride ions. By combining surface spectroscopic experiments with computational methods, very detailed information about the molecular bonding, geometries, and surface orientation of 3-pentanone as a function of depth has been obtained. The results show that, for pure water, 3-pentanone resides at the topmost surface of water with the carbonyl pointing into the aqueous phase where it is weakly solvated. For Na 2 SO 4 -containing solutions, we found that sulfate ions in the boundary layer provoke changes in the geometry and interfacial position of 3-pentanone that are not seen in solutions containing sodium chloride or sodium carbonate. The results provide important insight into the behavior of ketones in the presence of salts at the surface of aerosols in the atmosphere.
Detection and Location Capability at NVAR for Events on the Nevada Test Site

Detection capability at NVAR (Mina, Nevada array) was assessed using a sequence of 553 earthquakes ( M L Pg 90% detection threshold at NVAR for events at Scotty9s Junction for a normal noise environment was 44 nm/s zero-to-peak velocity as measured at NV08. That corresponds to 1.9 local magnitude units as determined by the University of Nevada at Reno (UNR). Using results from the Scotty9s Junction events as well as from fifty earthquakes, 1.5 m UNR Pg 90% detection level at NVAR as 2.5 UNR local magnitude units for events on NTS. We determined locations using a crosscorrelation method to calculate back azimuth and horizontal phase velocity. Epicentral distance was estimated using Lg – Pg arrival time differences. Arrival times for the Pg and Lg phases were determined using wavelet decomposition methods. Using sixteen of the Scotty9s Junction events ( M L > 3.2) identified as having similar locations and source mechanisms by crosscorrelation of their waveforms with a large, well located event, the sample standard deviation for estimated back azimuth was 0.98°. This standard deviation, in distance, was 2.7 km at 158 km, the distance from NVAR, element NV08, to Scotty9s Junction. For the events we located on NTS, the sample standard deviation in distance, due to errors inherent to the wavelet detector, was 1.5 km. Using only the NVAR array for epicentral location, we estimated a 90% coverage area of less than 100 km 2 for events at 273 km distance in the southeastern corner of NTS. We determined Pg group velocity from Scotty9s Junction to NVAR as 5.98 km/s and Lg group velocity as 3.38 km/s. For the travel path between NTS and NVAR Pg group velocity was 6.06 km/s and Lg group velocity was 3.46 km/s.
Insulin resistance modifies the association between obesity and current asthma in adults

Insulin resistance potentiates the association between obesity and childhood asthma, but this relationship appears inconsistent in relatively small studies of adults. We investigated effect modification in adults using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2012, a large, nationally representative database.Insulin resistance and a history of physician-diagnosed current asthma were obtained from 12 421 adults, ages 18-85 years. We used logistic regression to determine associations between obesity and current asthma, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, poverty income ratio and smoking status. An interaction term evaluated effect modification by insulin resistance of the obesity-asthma association.As expected, obesity was positively associated with current asthma. Insulin resistance modified this association, with obesity measured as body mass index, waist circumference or waist-to-height ratio. The relationship between obesity and current asthma was stronger with increasing insulin resistance tertiles (OR 2.05, 95% CI 2.76-3.00; p-value for interaction 0.03). This association was robust to adjustments for other components of the metabolic syndrome (hypertriglyceridaemia, hypertension, hyperglycaemia and systemic inflammation). None of these components were themselves effect modifiers of the obesity-asthma association.In this large, nationally representative sample, insulin resistance modified the association between obesity and current asthma in adults. Targeting insulin resistance may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for obese patients with asthma.
Towards an Understanding of the Twentieth-Century Cooling Trend in the Southeastern United States: Biogeophysical Impacts of Land-Use Change

AbstractThis paper explores the link between the anomalous warming hole in the southeastern United States and a major land-use/land-cover (LULC) change in the region. Land surface and satellite observations were analyzed to estimate the net radiative forcing due to LULC change. Albedo and latent energy were specifically addressed for the dominant LULC change of agriculture to forests. It was assumed that in the energy-limited environment of the region, the partition of changes in available energy due to albedo will mostly impact the sensible heat. The results show that in the southeastern United States, for the period of 1920 to 1992, the changes in sensible (as a result of albedo) and latent energies are in direct competition with each other. In the spring and early summer months, the croplands are in peak production and the latent energy associated with their evapotranspiration (ET) is comparable to that of the forests so the decrease in radiation due to albedo dominates the signal. However, during the ...
Evaluation and Analysis on the Ecological Environment Carrying Capacity in Yulin city

Yulin City is rich in energy and mineral resources in our country.Znecent years,with the rapid development of social economy,There appears a question whether the city's eco-systems(including resource and the environment) can bear the pressure come from human economic activity.This research from the point of Yulin's realities,building some index system of ecological environment carrying capacity,and drawe the conclusion that the most serious problem is the shortage of water and land resources,and solid waste disposal as well,for which some corresponding countermeasures and suggestions are put forward.
Echistatin, a disintegrin, inhibits sperm-oolemmal adhesion but not oocyte penetration.

Objective To study the effects of echistatin, a disintegrin known to block the binding of fibronectin (FN) and vitronectin to their respective integrin receptors, α 5 β 1 and α v β 3, on the adhesion of human spermatozoa to the oolemma of zona-free hamster eggs and their subsequent penetration. Design Motile capacitated human spermatozoa and zona-free hamster eggs were coincubated in the presence of echistatin or in its absence and observed at short serial intervals. Whole mounts of these eggs, washed out of sperm suspension and stained with acridine orange, were scored for numbers of oolemmal adherent and penetrating sperm. Setting University Hospital laboratories. Patients Known fertile semen donors. Main Outcome Measures Numbers of spermatozoa adherent to the oolemma and those penetrating the oocyte. Result Sperm adherence to the oolemma was reduced significantly at micromolar concentrations of echistatin, in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, echistatin did not inhibit the penetration of oocytes by sperm that had become adherent to the oolemma despite the presence of echistatin. Conclusions We propose that two processes occur in the binding of sperm to the oolemma, one that is echistatin sensitive and possibly involving the integrin receptors that recognize FN and vitronectin, and a second process, resistant to echistatin, that leads to gamete membrane fusion.
Immune response in bladder cancer patients.

AbstractPatients with various stages of bladder cancer underwent skin testing with dinitrochlorobenzene, recall antigens and Croton oil. In vitro lymphocyte evaluation was performed with T and B cell quantitation, T cell cytotoxicity and non-T cell cytotoxicity. Increasing disease stage was reflected by a greater percentage of negative responses to all skin tests. No response to dinitrochlorobenzene was found in 52 per cent of the patients with superficial tumor and 83 per cent of the patients with metastatic disease failed to respond (p < 0.025). After surgical removal of the bladder cancer in patients with superficial disease there was a significant decrease in negative response (p < 0.05). Skin test response in patients with invasive disease who were tested before and after cystectomy demonstrated no significant differences in responses.Assessment of dinitrochlorobenzene skin test response indicates that 1) dinitrochlorobenzene response is related to stage of disease, 2) survival of patients with metas...
Surface mass transfer processes using activated date pits as adsorbent

The factors affecting the initial rate of adsorption of some organic compounds onto activated date pits, have been investigated in detail. Phenol, aniline, methylene blue, procion red and humic sublitances were employed to test this adsorbent.The applicability of the Langmuir isothenn for the present system has been tested and the surface mass transfer coefficient and the surface diffusion coefficient at 20°C determined. The kinetics of adsorption indicates that the process is diffusion controlled.
The role of myeloid cells in cancer therapies

Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the ability to durably control cancer in some patients by manipulating T lymphocytes. These immunotherapies are revolutionizing cancer treatment but benefit only a minority of patients. It is thus a crucial time for clinicians, cancer scientists and immunologists to determine the next steps in shifting cancer treatment towards better cancer control. This Review describes recent advances in our understanding of tumour-associated myeloid cells. These cells remain less studied than T lymphocytes but have attracted particular attention because their presence in tumours is often linked to altered patient survival. Also, experimental studies indicate that myeloid cells modulate key cancer-associated activities, including immune evasion, and affect virtually all types of cancer therapy. Consequently, targeting myeloid cells could overcome limitations of current treatment options.
Pulse shape discrimination for a fast neutron detector

We are developing a detector that uses liquid scintillator loaded with 6Li for the efficient measurement of fast neutrons and their energy. Fast neutrons deposit energy in the scintillator primarily by nuclear (primarily proton) recoil scattering. If the neutron loses enough energy, it can be captured by lithium and produce a burst of scintillation photons. We present methods to identify this sequence of proton recoil and delayed neutron capture events. Because background gammas also produce scintillation light, we must reject them with high probability. One can discriminate background gamma events from nuclear recoil and neutron capture events because the scintillation light emission time probability density functions for electronic recoil events and nuclear recoil events are different. In a prototype unsegmented detector, we measure voltage pulses produced at a photomultiplier tube by scintillation light due to different neutron sources and a gamma ray source. For nuclear recoil and electronic recoil events, we determine a template voltage pulse by robust signal averaging and cluster analysis. For candidate event sequences, we compute the Matusita distances between the normalized voltage pulses in the start and stop regions of the pulse with respect to the template pulses. Based on the ratio of these distances and information about the voltage pulse amplitude generated by neutron capture, we identify events of interest and determine a voltage pulse amplitude distribution due to the fast neutrons. We expect that segmentation of the detector will significantly improve energy resolution.
Teaching, Learning, and Classroom Design

Our schools have a variety of classroom environments from the large lecture halls, to teaching labs with a computer for every student, to rooms with movable flat tables set in a circle. Many of our classrooms are equipped with data projection and podiums. Faculty often have favorite classrooms and try to book those rooms for their classes every year. Classrooms might be assigned by class size, but there are other factors about classrooms that either match or clash with teaching styles of our faculty. In this paper we intend to explore how the classroom environment affects teaching and learning, and how classrooms can be designed to facilitate engagement and active learning at Williams College and Lewis and Clark College. We will also discuss the challenges in pursuing the creation of flexible learning spaces.
Reflective practice: providing safe quality patient-centered pain management

Effective pain management continues to baffle clinicians in spite of numerous evidence-based guidelines and standards, focused clinical interventions and standardized assessments. Reflective practice is a mindful approach to practice that grounds clinicians in the moment with the individual patient to ask questions and then to listen to the patient's message about their pain experience. Reflective practice helps meld theoretical knowledge with lessons from experience to rethink mechanistic responses to patient pain. The subjective nature of pain means no two patients have the same experience, and, evidence based best practices are to be applied within the patient's preferences and context. The paper uses a case study to illustrate how to apply reflective practice to integrate the interprofessional quality and safety competencies to provide patient-centered pain management. Applying reflective questions throughout the care experience by all members of the healthcare team provides a mindful approach that focuses care on the individual patient.
Student Teams in Search of Design Thinking

The research explored student teams as they worked independently of instructors and coaches to understand how students learn the design thinking process. Two approaches to the research were explored: taking cues from team members’ reflections on their working sessions; and, analyzing communication bids made by students using interaction analysis techniques. Teams from two design thinking classes at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) at Stanford were studied. Results indicate that groups struggled for sustained and focused talk and activity relating to their assigned tasks, yet ultimately, established ways to communicate and accomplish assigned tasks. The findings implicate course design, suggesting more attention to team process and communication.
Manganese in brewing raw materials, disposition during the brewing process, and impact on the flavor instability of beer

© 2016 American Society of Brewing Chemists, Inc.Like iron and copper, manganese promotes the staling of beer, by converting ground state oxygen to reactive oxygen species. Manganese was detected in beers at levels that are likely to impact the aging of beer. Manganese originates in the grist materials but is present at even higher levels in hops. Although there is substantially more iron in those hops than manganese, the delivery into beer of these ions is much greater for manganese. Leaching of manganese into beer is much higher than in the equivalent quantity of deionized water. This study suggests that further study is warranted into the adverse impact of dry hopping on the flavor stability of beers.