cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Male Vulnerability to Reading Disability Is Not Likely to Be a Myth: A Call for New Data

Whether boys are more vulnerable than girls to reading disabilities (RD) is controversial. We review studies that were designed to minimize ascertainment bias in the selection of individuals with RD. These include population-based studies that identified children with RD by objective, unbiased methods and studies that examined the gender ratios among the affected relatives of those diagnosed with RD. We conclude that even when ascertainment biases are minimized, there is still a significant preponderance of boys with RD, although the gender ratio of the affected relatives of those with RD manifests the weakest male bias. Furthermore, we demonstrate that potentially confounding factors such as attentional or neurological problems, race, IQ, and severity of RD cannot account for the observed gender bias. We end with a clarion call to future researchers to (a) consider analyzing gender differences by means of more than one definition of RD, (b) compare gender ratios when boys and girls are ranked against the performance of their own gender as opposed to an average across genders, and (c) report group differences in variability and effect sizes of obtained gender ratios.
Trioctahedral Smectite and Interstratified Chlorite/Smectite in Jurassic Strata of the Connecticut Valley

Ahstraet--Trioctahedral smectite and regularly interstratified chlorite/smectite in strata of the East Berlin Formation of the Connecticut Valley are largely restricted to black shale and gray mudstone deposited in alkaline, perennial lakes. The precursor of the mixed-layer clay appears to have been a smectite. Alkaline lake waters and inherited pore waters rich in magnesium favored the transformation of smectite to mixedlayer chlorite/smectite by fixation of brucitic interlayers into the smectite unit structure. Gray mudstones containing the mixed-layer chlorite/smectite are invariably underlain by magnesium-rich black shale---a possible source of Mg for the clay mineral transformations. The black shale is composed predominantly of Mg-rich trioctahedral smectite of probable authigenic origin.
A genetic algorithm for the design space exploration of datapaths during high-level synthesis

High-level synthesis is comprised of interdependent tasks such as scheduling, allocation, and module selection. For today's very large-scale integration (VLSI) designs, the cost of solving the combined scheduling, allocation, and module selection problem by exhaustive search is prohibitive. However, to meet design objectives, an extensive design space exploration is often critical to obtaining superior designs. We present a framework for efficient design space exploration during high-level synthesis of datapaths for data-dominated applications. The framework uses a genetic algorithm (GA) to concurrently perform scheduling and allocation with the aim of finding schedules and module combinations that lead to superior designs while considering user-specified latency and area constraints. The GA uses a multichromosome representation to encode datapath schedules and module allocations and efficient heuristics to minimize functional and storage area costs, while minimizing circuit latencies. The framework provides the flexibility to perform resource-constrained scheduling, time-constrained scheduling, or a combination of the two, using a simple and fast list-scheduling technique. A graded penalty function is used as an objective function in evaluating the quality of designs to enable the GA to quickly reach areas of the search space where designs meeting user specified criteria are most likely to be found. Since GAs are population-based search heuristics, a unique feature of our framework is its ability to offer a large number of alternative datapath designs, all of which meet design specifications but differ in module, register, and interconnect configurations. Many experiments on well-known benchmarks show the effectiveness of our approach.
Computational Modeling of Pancreatic Cancer Reveals Kinetics of Metastasis Suggesting Optimum Treatment Strategies

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, largely due to metastatic dissemination. We investigated pancreatic cancer progression by utilizing a mathematical framework of metastasis formation together with comprehensive data of 228 patients, 101 of whom had autopsies. We found that pancreatic cancer growth is initially exponential. After estimating the rates of pancreatic cancer growth and dissemination, we determined that patients likely harbor metastases at diagnosis and predicted the number and size distribution of metastases as well as patient survival. These findings were validated in an independent database. Finally, we analyzed the effects of different treatment modalities, finding that therapies that efficiently reduce the growth rate of cells earlier in the course of treatment appear to be superior to upfront tumor resection. These predictions can be validated in the clinic. Our interdisciplinary approach provides insights into the dynamics of pancreatic cancer metastasis and identifies optimum therapeutic interventions.
Sex and racial disparities in duodenal biopsy to evaluate for celiac disease.

Background Celiac disease (CD) is common but underdiagnosed in the United States. Serological screening studies indicate that, although CD occurs at the same frequency in both sexes, women are diagnosed more frequently than men (2:1). CD is less frequently diagnosed among black patients, though the seroprevalence in this group is not known. Objective To measure the rates of duodenal biopsy during EGD for symptoms consistent with CD. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative National Endoscopy Database, spanning the years 2004 through 2009. Patients Adults undergoing EGD for the indication of diarrhea, anemia, iron deficiency, or weight loss, in which the endoscopic appearance of the upper GI tract was normal. Main Outcome Measurement Performance of duodenal biopsy. Results Of 13,091 individuals (58% female patients, 9% black patients) who met the inclusion criteria, duodenal biopsy was performed in 43%, 45% of female patients and 39% of male patients ( P P Limitations Lack of histopathologic correlation with CD prevalence. Conclusions In this multiregional endoscopy database spanning the period from 2004 through 2009, rates of duodenal biopsy increased modestly over time, but overall remained low in patients with possible clinical indications for biopsy. Nonperformance of duodenal biopsy during endoscopy may be contributing to the underdiagnosis of CD in the United States.
Programming the cloud

Client + cloud computing is a disruptive, new computing platform, combining diverse client devices -- PCs, smartphones, sensors, and single-function and embedded devices -- with the unlimited, on-demand computation and data storage offered by cloud computing services such as Amazon's AWS or Microsoft's Windows Azure. As with every advance in computing, programming is a fundamental challenge as client + cloud computing combines many difficult aspects of software development. Systems built for this world are inherently parallel and distributed, run on unreliable hardware, and must be continually available -- a challenging programming model for even the most skilled programmers. How then do ordinary programmers develop software for the Cloud? This talk presents one answer, Orleans, a software framework for building client + cloud applications. Orleans encourages use of simple concurrency patterns that are easy to understand and implement correctly, building on an actor-like model with declarative specification of persistence, replication, and consistency and using lightweight transactions to support the development of reliable and scalable client + cloud software.
Independent Origins and Rapid Evolution of the Placenta in the Fish Genus Poeciliopsis

The evolution of complex organs is a source of controversy because they require the contributions of many adaptations to function properly. We argue that placentas are complex, that they have evolved multiple times in Poeciliopsis, and that there are closely related sister taxa that have either no placentas or intermediate stages in the evolution of a placenta. Furthermore, placentas can evolve in 750,000 years or less, on the same time scale as suggested by theoretical calculations for the evolution of complex eyes. Independent origins of such complexity, accompanied by sister taxa that either lack or have intermediate stages in the evolution of the trait, present an opportunity to study the evolution of novelty and complexity from a comparative, evolutionary perspective.
SNS cryomodule performance

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerating Facility, Jefferson Lab, is producing 24 Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cryomodules for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) cold linac. This includes one medium-/spl beta/ (0.61) prototype, 11 medium-/spl beta/ production, and 12 high beta (0.81) production cryomodules. After testing, the medium-/spl beta/ prototype cryomodule was shipped to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and acceptance check out has been completed. All production orders for cavities and cryomodule components are being received at this time and the medium-/spl beta/ cryomodule production run has started. Each of the medium-/spl beta/ cryomodules is scheduled to undergo complete operational performance testing at Jefferson Laboratory before shipment to ORNL. The performance results of cryomodules to date will be discussed.
A data acquisition system for a Ring Compton-scatter Camera

A data acquisition system for a Ring Compton scatter Camera (RCC) has been developed. The RCC is composed of two detector arrays. A personal computer is used for storing the detector energy data and controlling the Compton camera. The camera output interface uses a pipelined hardware architecture to reduce the counting losses due to the finite data transfer time, and to provide variable length data records to the computer. Data transfers are controlled by either hardware or software generated interrupts. The acquisition modes include: the collection of coincident spectra, delayed coincident counting curves, and pulse height spectra from the individual detectors. Diagnostic procedures have also been developed. The software supports all of the hardware functions, and provides routines for preprocessing and displaying the acquired data. >
Scheduling methods for the statistical setup adjustment problem

Feedback control methods have been proposed in recent literature to regulate the quality characteristic of parts or products in a manufacturing process. Depending on the costs involved, adjustments may not be needed at each time instant (i.e. for every part or product). This paper presents scheduling methods to determine the optimal time instants for adjusting a process. The focus is on the set-up adjustment problem, in which it is necessary to adjust the process in order to compensate for an initial offset that occurs due to an incorrect set-up operation. The performance of three scheduling methods are compared in terms of the expected manufacturing cost and computational effort of each method. The adjustment methods considered are based on estimates of the process variance and the size of the offset. The robustness of these methods with respect to biased estimates of the process variance and of the set-up error or offset are discussed. One simple method, a backward implementation of the Silver-Meal heur...
Genetic Analysis of Multiple Loci Suggests that Mutations in the Pneumocystis carinii f. sp.hominis Dihydropteroate Synthase Gene Arose Independently in Multiple Strains

To determine if mutations in the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene of Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis arose in a single strain that was subsequently widely disseminated, we examined four genomic regions of 22 P. carinii clinical isolates selected based on the absence or presence of mutations in the DHPS gene. By single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing, we found varying genotypes for each of the four regions in isolates with DHPS mutations, suggesting that these mutations occurred independently in multiple strains of P. carinii. This suggests that exposure to sulfa will select for these mutations in diverse strains.
Developments in Health Physics Dosimetry

The joint session on dosimetry organised by the Health Physics Society and the American Nuclear Society in New Orleans in June 1984 provided a demonstration of the relationship between the health physics and reactor dosimetry. This paper applies the papers given at the joint sessions to assess the progress that has been made in the transfer of ideas and techniques between these fields of study. The growing interest in ALARA and the need for transferable standards provides some of the incentives to seek improved dosimetry in health physics. In addition the possibility of an increase in neutron quality factor and the application of realistic anatomical phantoms in Health Physics stimulate developments in dosimetry. The paper reviews developments in dosimetry in the context of these areas of interest to the health physicist.
POP Complications and Their Management

A thorough conversation between the patient and physician should take place before embarking on POP surgery. Specifically, if mesh use is planned to augment a repair, the surgeon should provide full disclosure regarding the potential adverse effects related to mesh. Evaluation of a patient after a mesh complication requires a complete workup. Experienced, trained pelvic surgeons may be able to recognize and treat these conditions with fewer complications. With the patient’s best outcome as the primary goal, all steps should be taken to prevent any complications.
Wind Recommendations for Transmission Towers

The recommendations concerning design wind loadings for transmission line towers show a wide divergence. When the varying intents of the codes are reviewed, closer agreement is obtained. For normal cable spans, the proper determination of the effective wind on the wires is the critical factor. The recommendations of Proc. Paper 5403, “Electrical Transmission Line and Tower Design Guide” provide valid loadings for normal conditions. The special conditions which warrant additional review are short spans, tall crossing towers, or winds following heavy icing. Additional testing and experience is required on multiple conductor bundles before any reduction for shielding of the leeward cable is incorporated into design loadings.
Effect of Aggregate Uniformity on Pullout Resistance of Steel Strip Reinforcement

Results are presented of large-scale laboratory pullout tests on ribbed steel strip reinforcement embedded in six types of aggregates with uniformity coefficients (ratio of the particle size at 60% finer to that at 10% finer) ranging from 1.4 to 14. These aggregates satisfied the AASHTO standard gradation requirements for select backfill. Each backfill material was placed in two lifts and compacted until the required degree of compaction was achieved. The normal stress was applied with a pressurized air bag placed on top of the compacted backfill. A double-acting hydraulic jack was used to apply the pullout load, which was measured with a load cell. Displacement transducers were installed to measure the rear and front strip displacements. The test results demonstrated that the uniform aggregates generally behaved the same way as did the well-graded aggregates in terms of pullout resistance. The effect of uniformity was more obvious in the tests under a lower normal stress than those under a higher normal ...
Three New Species of Idaea Treitschke (Geometridae: Sterrhinae) from the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.

ABSTRACT. Three new species of Idaea Treitschke, 1825 (Geometridae: Sterrhinae) are described and illustrated: Idaea knudsonaria n. sp., type locality Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area, Culberson County, Texas; Idaea kendallaria n. sp., type locality Santa Ana Refuge, Hidalgo County, Texas; and Idaea elizabetharia n. sp., type locality Madera Canyon, Santa Cruz County, Arizona. I. kendallaria has been reared on southern live oak, Quercus virginiana Miller.
Charles Lee: Self Before Country. By Dominick Mazzagetti. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2013. Pp. xiii, 269. $32.95.)

If the Revolutionary War general Charles Lee is remembered today, it is as an egomaniacal eccentric who was famously confronted by General George Washington during the Battle of Monmouth in June 17...
Reply to 'A Comment on a New Measure of Predictor Variable Importance in Multiple Regression'

In lieu of Abstract, here is the first paragraph:Jackson provides a clear statement of a basic (and noncontroversial) limitation of all "importance" measures in multiple regression-namely, there is no unambiguous measure of importance in the case of correlated predictor variables. Darlington (1968) presented this same caveat more than a decade ago and some of our own publications have emphasized it as well (Green and Tull, 1978; Green with Carroll, 1978). Amemiya (1976) came to this same conclusion in his econometric investigation of regressor selection.
Staphylococcal Spheroplasts and L-Colonies. III. Induction by Lysostaphin

The bacteriolytic enzyme, lysostaphin, first discovered by Schindler and Schuhardt [1, 2], has the unique property of rapidly and specifically lysing staphylococci but not bacteria of other genera. Lysostaphin alone [3-6] or in conjunction with methicillin [7] has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of experimental staphylococcal infection in mice. Preliminary observations indicate that it is effective in the
Challenges of PV Integration in Low-Voltage Secondary Networks

This paper presents challenges and potential impacts of photovoltaic (PV) integration in the low-voltage downtown secondary networks (downtown networks). In the conventional secondary networks, substation feeders are the sole source of electric power and establish unidirectional power to the downtown network. The network protectors prevent the flow of power from inside the network to the upstream feeder by disconnecting the circuit to protect the feeder transformer against upstream faults. The assumption of unidirectional power flow can be violated by PV generation due to the possibility of excess power inside the network. It is shown in this paper that a large number of network protector trips can occur and, thus, voltage collapse may follow even in low PV penetration levels. In addition, it is demonstrated that the reclose action of the network protector relays is adversely affected by the PV power. Other adverse effects of such distributed-generation units, such as voltage profile, line overloads, and flicker, are also briefly discussed. Finally, a solution is proposed, based on differential currents, to upgrade the network protector relays in order to avoid false trips due to excessive PV power. Part of the New Orleans downtown network is modeled and the study is performed through simulations.
Role of lowering arterial pressure on maximal coronary flow with and without regression of cardiac hypertrophy

This study was initiated to test the hypothesis that attenuation of long-term hypertension with or without regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) will lower minimal coronary vascular resistance (MCVR). Six-month-old spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were treated with captopril or hydralazine for a period of 3 mo. Myocardial perfusion, measured with microspheres, and hemodynamic data were obtained in awake, unrestrained rats aged 9 mo. MCVR was calculated from the quotient of mean/myocardial perfusion. Both drugs significantly lowered arterial systolic pressure in both strains of rats, but only captopril was effective in reducing heart mass. Left ventricular MCVR per 100 g was lower in captopril-treated WKY (0.064 +/- 0.012) and SHR (0.079 +/- 0.006) than the untreated controls (SHR: 0.124 +/- 0.006; WKY: 0.098 +/- 0.009), whereas total LV MCVR was unaltered by treatment. Hydralazine tended to lower LV MCVR per 100 g in both strains despite its tendency to increase ventricular mass. Captopril, but not hydralazine, treatment was associated with a significant increase in capillary density in both WKY and SHR. We conclude that the improvement in MCVR is related to both the regression of LVH and to the consequences of lowering arterial systolic pressure. In contrast, the increase in capillary density appears to be related to the decrease in ventricular mass after captopril treatment.
Analysis on Occupational Hazards in a Proposed Production Line of PVC Base Material for Magnetic Card

[Objective]To identify and analyze the possible occupational hazards in production process of a proposed production line of PVC base material for magnetic card,provide the technical basis for prevention and control of occupational diseases from the source.[Methods]The qualitative and quantitative analysis evaluation was conducted according to the principle of checklist method combined with analogy method.[Results]The production process of preparation,extrusion,calendering and packaging in this project may produce PVC dust,hydrogen chloride,vinyl chloride,noise and high temperature.The distribution,protection facilities and technical measures were in accordance with requirements of related standard and criterion.The results of analogy test showed the PVC dust and noise were unqualified.[Conclusion]This is a project with general occupational hazards.Only the occupational-disease-prevention measures will be implemented in place,can the occupational hazards accord with the national hygiene standards after project commissioning.
Research on Bearing Behavior of Rammed Aggregate Pier Group

Loading tests on two rammed aggregate pier group (RAPG) with initial diameter of 0.76 m,initial lengths of 2.79 m and 5.10 m respectively were carried out. A three-dimensional Lagrange finite difference process was used to simulate the installation and loading process of loading test classification. Pier-soil stress ratio,pier group effect and stress paths of two soil elements at different depths among the piers were also analyzed. The results show that the numerical model well simulates the installation of pier group. The maximum vertical displacement is located at the center of the RAPG and which shows ground heaving. The computed loading-settlement curves for two RAPG are close to the measurement curves. Pier-soil stress ratios at each loading for two RAPG are close and the value range is from 3.8 to 6.5. Effect is related to the ratio of the pier length and the base slab width. Pier group negative effect decreases with the increase of the ratio. Horizontal stresses are greater than vertical stresses for two soil elements at different depths among the piers during installation of RAPG and the stress levels are in the critical failure state. The installation of piers results in prestress in soil elements among the piers. Therefore,the soil stiffness and bearing capacity of RAPG is increased. Prestress in the soil element closing to the piers' bottom which is affected by the rammed effect to the bottom is increased.
Craniofacial surgery in children: concepts and questions.

It was entirely appropriate that the initial craniofacial surgical efforts be generally confined to adult-type patients, but the currently available technical refinements have developed such procedures to the point where they now have a definite place in infant surgery as well.
Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: comparison with transabdominal radical nephrectomy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (HALN) has benefits over the traditional transabdominal radical nephrectomy. More specifically we focused on the use of the hand-assisted technique as a definitive oncologic procedure for renal cancers. This study is a retrospective nonrandomized study comparing 12 hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomies with 12 transabdominal radical nephrectomies. All patients included in the study had the preoperative diagnosis of renal mass. HALN population averaged 1.83 ± 1.64 (mean ± standard deviation) major comorbidities versus 1.08 ± 0.8 open (P = 0.032). The HALN OR time averaged 103 ± 32.8 versus 57 ± 18.3 minutes open (P = 0.001). The estimated blood loss mean for HALN was 83 versus 318 cm 3 open (P = 0.001). Length of stay for HALN was 4.9 ± 2.2 versus 5.9 ± 2.9 days (P = 0.35). Days to regular diet was 2.9 ± 2.3 in HALN versus 3.5 ± 2.11 open (P = 0.52). Days of intravenous pain medications were 1.8 ± 0.72 HALN versus 3.0 ± 1.28 open (P = 0.016). Postoperative complication rates for the two groups were identical: two of 12 (ileus and post-operative bleeding). Tumor size mean was 6.8 ± 2.99 cm for HALN versus 4.2 ± 1.29 cm open (P = 0.012). Tumor margins were negative for 12 of 12 in HALN versus 11 of 12 open. Selection bias (selecting ailing patients to the HALN cohort) diminished the statistical significance of our post-operative recovery data. It is likely that a prospectively randomized study with a larger population may prove the hand-assisted approach equal if not superior to the open technique. The use of HALN in patients with renal tumors is an effective alternative to traditional transabdominal radical nephrectomy.
Proving Things About the Informal

There has been a bit of discussion, of late, as to whether Church’s thesis is subject to proof. The purpose of this article is to help clarify the issue by discussing just what it is to be a proof of something, and the relationship of the intuitive notion of proof to its more formal explications. A central item on the agenda is the epistemological role of proofs.
Background on Imaging Structural Imaging

The goals of imaging for neurosurgical guidance are many. These often involve developing a differential diagnosis, predicting brain tumor grade, establishing optimal targets for biopsy, evaluating safety of resection, planning operative approach and extent of resection, and providing a baseline for postoperative and post-therapeutic monitoring. Cross-sectional imaging the brain and spinal cord relies primarily on computed X-ray tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with MRI providing the most sensitive and specific results because of its superior tissue contrast, which allows more precise and accurate differentiation of the large spectrum of relevant tissues and pathologies. This chapter briefly introduces the basic techniques for acquiring MRI and CT images, illustrates common applications in neurosurgical guidance of brain tumor biopsy and resection, and outlines principles that guide image interpretation in these applications.
User generated content and credibility evaluation of online health information

This meta-analysis addresses credibility concerns for online health information.A collection of empirical studies addressing user-generated content was analyzed.We synthesized 22 effect sizes drawn from empirical studies of 1346 participants.Source credibility had no influence on perceived information credibility.The platform where the information was posted might be a contingent factor. The present study provides a meta-analysis of perceived credibility concerns for user-generated-online-health information. Past work yields inconsistent findings regarding whether high credible versus low credible sources would relate to perceived credibility of online health information. A collection of empirical studies was synthesized to reach an explanation of the conflicting findings. Analysis of 22 effect sizes with 1346 participants indicated that source credibility had no significant overall influence on perceived information credibility (r=0.03, n.s.). However, the variances across the studies suggest that the platform where the information was posted might be a contingent factor. Specifically, when user-generated health information was posted on a common website, high credible sources were significantly related to high perceived information credibility.
Boundary interpolation by finite Blaschke products

Given n distinct points t1, …, t n on the unit circle \({\mathbb T}\) and equally many target values \(w_1,\ldots ,w_n\in {\mathbb T}\), we describe all Blaschke products f of degree at most n − 1 such that f(t i ) = w i for i = 1, …, n. We also describe the cases where degree n − 1 is the minimal possible.
Multiscale modeling of growth plate cartilage mechanobiology.

Growth plate chondrocytes are responsible for bone growth through proliferation and differentiation. However, the way they experience physiological loads and regulate bone formation, especially during the later developmental phase in the mature growth plate, is still under active investigation. In this study, a previously developed multiscale finite element model of the growth plate is utilized to study the stress and strain distributions within the cartilage at the cellular level when rapidly compressed to 20 %. Detailed structures of the chondron are included in the model to examine the hypothesis that the same combination of mechanoregulatory signals shown to maintain cartilage or stimulate osteogenesis or fibrogenesis in the cartilage anlage or fracture callus also performs the same function at the cell level within the chondrons of growth plate cartilage. Our cell-level results are qualitatively and quantitatively in agreement with tissue-level theories when both hydrostatic cellular stress and strain are considered simultaneously in a mechanoregulatory phase diagram similar to that proposed at the tissue level by Claes and Heigele for fracture healing. Chondrocytes near the reserve/proliferative zone border are subjected to combinations of high compressive hydrostatic stresses ( $$-0.4$$ MPa), and cell height and width strains of $$-12$$ to $$+9\,\%$$ respectively, that maintain cartilage and keep chondrocytes from differentiating and provide conditions favorable for cell division, whereas chondrocytes closer to the hypertrophic/calcified zone undergo combinations of lower compressive hydrostatic stress ( $$-0.18$$ MPa) and cell height and width strains as low as $$-4$$ to +4 %, respectively, that promote cell differentiation toward osteogenesis; cells near the outer periphery of the growth plate structure experience a combination of low compressive hydrostatic stress (0 to $$-0.15$$ MPa) and high maximum principal strain (20–29 %) that stimulate cell differentiation toward fibrocartilage or fibrous tissue.
A daytime obstructive sleep apnea severity assessment framework

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of complete or partial blockage of the upper airway. These episodes can interfere with sound sleep and have fatal health consequences. They can also reduce the flow of oxygen to vital organs, like the brain, and lead to brain damage. In this paper, we leverage the correlation between brain damage and OSA to design a prediction framework that can assess the severity level of the OSA condition, as well as estimate the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) using only features obtained during wakefulness. Our daytime severity screening tool can enable the prioritization of patients for PSG studies based on the severity of their condition and can enable a more timely perioperative risk stratification. The proposed framework has a two-layered design that first classifies patients into coarse-grained OSA severity categories, before proceeding with the fine-grained AHI estimation within the classified category in the second layer. The performance of this framework was evaluated using the PSG's AHI scores as a gold standard. Using the proposed framework, patients can be classified into the correct severity group with 99.6% accuracy and their AHI can be estimated within an error of 4.5 events/hour, making the proposed system a promising reliable, daytime alternative for OSA severity screening.
Gambling with Philadelphia: Examining the Impacts of Commercial Casinos in a large American city.

Casino gaming has emerged in the United States in a variety of new locations as a source of economic development. In 2010 commercial casino gambling expanded into a major United States city, when a casino opened in Philadelphia. The city currently has one open casino and a second proposed casino, this, along with three other casinos in the metropolitan area, makes Philadelphia an important case study to examine the impacts of casino gaming in a major urban area in the United States. Through interviews and media/policy analysis, the casinos interaction with the local community during the planning process, and since the one casino has opened are analyzed. It is revealed that a variety of stakeholders were involved in the casino location process, and the community has been impacted by the casino in a variety of areas including economic effects, a community benefits agreement, crime, potential gambling addiction and gentrification.
The Impact of Discharge Disposition on Episode-of-Care Reimbursement After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) accounts for more Medicare expenditure than any other inpatient procedure. The Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model was introduced to decrease cost and improve quality in TJA. The largest portion of episode-of-care costs occurs after discharge. This study sought to quantify the cost variation of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) according to discharge disposition. Methods The Medicare and Humana claims databases were used to extract charges and reimbursements to compare day-of-surgery and 91-day postoperative costs simulating episode-of-care reimbursements. Of the patients who underwent primary THA, 257,120 were identified (204,912 from Medicare and 52,208 from Humana). Patients were stratified by discharge disposition: home with home health, skilled nursing facility, or inpatient rehabilitation facility. Results There is a significant difference in the episode-of-care costs according to discharge disposition, with discharge to an inpatient rehabilitation facility the most costly and discharge to home the least costly. Conclusion Postdischarge costs represent a sizeable portion of the overall expense in THA, and optimizing patients to allow safe discharge to home may help reduce the cost of THA.
Cancer Risk Estimation and Prevention

Since scientific evidence suggests that human exposure to outdoor air pollution may increase the incidence of cancer, it is prudent for decision makers to investigate the magnitude of the potential problem and adapt feasible prevention strategies. In this chapter, we use a “risk analysis/risk management” framework to examine prevention opportunities. Our objective is to show how environmental science and economics can be utilised together to inform the development of prevention policies. Throughout the chapter, we highlight the difficulties associated with implementing a risk analysis/risk management approach, given our current state of scientific knowledge about air pollution and human health.
Targeted Interneuron Ablation in the Mouse Hippocampus Can Cause Spontaneous Recurrent Seizures

The death of GABAergic interneurons has long been hypothesized to contribute to acquired epilepsy. These experiments tested the hypothesis that focal interneuron lesions cause acute seizures [i.e., status epilepticus (SE)] and/or chronic epilepsy [i.e., persistent spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs)]. To selectively ablate interneurons, Gad2-ires-Cre mice were injected unilaterally in the CA1 area of the dorsal hippocampus with an adeno-associated virus containing the diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR). Simultaneously, an electrode, connected to a miniature telemetry device, was positioned at the injection site for chronic recordings of local field potentials (LFPs). Two weeks after virus transfection, intraperitoneal injection of DT consistently caused focal, specific, and extensive ablation of interneurons. Long-term, continuous monitoring revealed that all mice with DT-induced interneuron lesions had SRSs. Seizures lasted tens of seconds and interseizure intervals were several hours (or days); therefore, these interneuron lesions did not induce SE. The SRSs occurred 3-5 d after DT treatment, which is the estimated time required for DT-induced cell death; therefore, induction of SRSs occurred without the latent period typical of acquired epilepsy. In five of six DT-treated mice, SRSs stopped within days, suggesting that the DT-induced interneuron lesions did not usually cause epilepsy. In one mouse, however, SRSs occurred for ≥34 d after interneuron ablation, similar to epilepsy after experimental SE. Sham control mice had no detectable seizures, confirming that the SRSs were due to ablation of interneurons. These data show that selective interneuron ablation consistently caused SRSs but not SE; and, at least under the conditions used here, interneuron lesions rarely led to persistent SRSs (i.e., epilepsy).
A framework for efficient teleoperation via online adaptation

We propose a task-independent adaptive teleoperation methodology that seeks to improve operator performance and efficiency by concurrently modeling user intent and adapting the set of available actions according to the predicted intent. User input selects a robot motion from a finite set of dynamically feasible and safe motions, represented as a motion primitive library. User intent is modeled as a probabilistic distribution with respect to future actions that represents the likelihood of action selection given recent user input, which can be formulated independent of task, environment, or user. As the intent model becomes increasingly confident, the action set is adapted in order to reduce the error between the intended and actual performance. Experimental evaluation of teleoperating a quadrotor for nonaggressive, single-intent maneuvers such as following a racetrack and conducting a free-hand helix motion shows improved performance, validating that the approach provides efficient adaptation towards achieving the user intent.
Researching Leadership from a Systems Perspective: Observations and Challenges

Although systems scientists have railed against the classical leadership models for years, they continue to pervade academic textbooks and life in many organizations. This paper adds to that critique by suggesting that the nature of leadership is quite different in highly turbulent environments. In such settings, the context of management becomes more significant than the management functions. An extensive study was conducted in six major organizations in Bogota, Colombia. This paper uses that study as a backdrop from which to discuss some of the challenges of studying leadership systemically. Complications discussed include the difficulty of using language, oral or written, which is by definition linear. Secondly, people have been found to make the past much more linear than it occurred when they are thinking retrospectively. Finally, although we recommend that the leader him or herself must be involved in the research process, issues of subjectivity and reflexivity become more significant.
Declining Resident Experience in Open Vascular Operations Threatens the Status of Vascular Surgery as an Essential Content Area of General Surgery Training.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to document trends in the performance of open arterial vascular surgery procedures (OAVP) by general surgery residents (GSR). BACKGROUND The ACGME Review Committee for Surgery considers vascular surgery (VS) to be an "essential content area." However, the operative experience in VS for GSRs is threatened by 1) increasing numbers of GSRs, 2) increasing numbers of VS trainees, and 3) the proliferation of endovascular surgery. METHODS The last 16 years of ACGME national reports of case logs for completing GSRs were reviewed. Total vascular operations and OAVPs performed as "surgeon" were recorded and analyzed. The number of individuals completing ACGME programs in general and vascular surgery annually over that period were also recorded and analyzed. To better understand long-term and more recent trends, trends were analyzed for the 15-year period spanned by the 16 years of data as well as the most recent 10- and 5-year periods. RESULTS The number of individuals completing both general and vascular surgery programs increased significantly. Over 15 years, the total vascular operations performed by GSRs significantly declined as did the total OAVPs and the OAVPs in 7 of 9 categories. In just the last 5 years, significant declines occurred in 5 OAVP categories. CONCLUSIONS Operative experience in OAVPs for GSRs has significantly declined. Because fundamental VS skills are necessary for operative general surgery, VS should remain an essential content area. However, programs cannot solely depend on operative experience to teach fundamental VS skills.
Comparison of range of motion during the cervical flexion rotation versus the side-bending rotation test in individuals with and without hyperlaxity.

ABSTRACTObjective: The flexion rotation test (FRT) is used to determine C1-2 involvement in individuals with neck pain and headaches. Some individuals present with generalized joint hyperlaxity (GJ...
Frame by Frame Stop Motion: NonTraditional Approaches to Stop Motion Animation

In a world that is dominated by computer images, alternative stop motion techniques like pixilation, time-lapse photography and down-shooting techniques combined with new technologies offer a new, tangible and exciting approach to animation. With over 25 years professional experience, industry veteran, Tom Gasek presents a comprehensive guide to stop motion animation without the focus on puppetry or model animation. With tips, tricks and hands-on exercises, Frame by Frame will help both experienced and novice filmmakers get the most effective results from this underutilized branch of animation. Practical insight and inspiration from leading filmmakers like PES (Western Spaghetti Creator, Time Magazine's #2 Viral Video of 2008), Dave Borthwick, of the Bolex Brothers and more! The accompanying website will include further content driven examples, indexes of stop motion software, a recommended film list and tools and resources for the beginner and intermediate stop motion artist, animators and filmmakers.
miR-155 Plays an Essential Role in Anti-MHC-Induced Obliterative Airway Disease

Purpose Previous studies in our lab demonstrated that development of Abs to HLA often precedes development of Abs to self-Antigens (SAgs), Collagen V (Col-V) and K-alpha1 Tubulin (Kα1T), increasing the risk of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome as a significant risk factor for acute and chronic rejection (CR). Circulating exosomes expressing donor HLA, SAgs have been proposed to stimulate immune responses leading to lung allograft rejection. miR-155 was among the first miRNAs linked to inflammation, potent upregulation of Toll like receptors in multiple cell lineages leading to production of inflammatory cytokines including IL17 which has been proposed to play an important role in the development of CR following lung transplantation. In our present study, we elucidated the role of miR-155 in anti-MHC-induced obliterative airway disease (OAD) model and their role in inducing circulating exosomes with lung SAgs and contribution to OAD. Methods Wild-type C57BL/6 miR-155 knock-out (KO) B6.Cg-Mir155tm1Rsky/J mice (8-12 wks) were procured. Anti-H-2Kb (AF6-88.5.5.3, BioXcell,) Abs was administered intrabronchially. Mouse Abs to lung-SAgs, Col-V or Kα1T, was detected by ELISA. Circulating exosomes were isolated using total exosome isolation kit and analyzed for lung SAgs, CIITA and 20S proteosome by western blots. Results Anti-MHC class I Ab administration into the wild type mice developed Abs against lung SAgs, Col-V days 8, 16, 30, and K-α1T day 8. Anti-MHC class I Abs administrated to wild-type mice released exosomes with increased levels of SAgs, Col-V or K-α1T, CIITA and 20S proteasome on day 2; which increased by day 16. In contrast, miR-155KO mice demonstrated neither Abs to SAgs nor exosomes containing SAgs. Histopathological studies revealed that lungs from wild-type animals administered with anti-MHC class I Ab demonstrated significant inflammatory cells around the vessels and bronchiole with increase in fibrosis. miR-155KO mice did not show any significant lesions. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that Abs to lung SAgs and induction of circulating exosomes with lung SAgs occurs prior to development of OAD following anti-MHC administration into native lungs. Further, miR-155 plays an obligatory role in the pathogenesis of anti-MHC induced OAD since miR-55KO mice did not develop Abs to lung SAgs, induce circulating exosomes with lung SAgs, nor result in OAD.
Conditional Effects of Lifetime Alcohol Consumption on Methamphetamine-Associated Neurocognitive Performance.

Author(s): Saloner, Rowan; Paolillo, Emily W; Umlauf, Anya; Moore, David J; Heaton, Robert K; Grant, Igor; Cherner, Mariana; TMARC Group | Abstract: ObjectivesMethamphetamine (MA) dependence contributes to neurotoxicity and neurocognitive deficits. Although combined alcohol and MA misuse is common, how alcohol consumption relates to neurocognitive performance among MA users remains unclear. We hypothesized that alcohol and MA use would synergistically diminish neurocognitive functioning, such that greater reported alcohol consumption would exert larger negative effects on neurocognition among MA-dependent individuals compared to MA-nonusing persons.MethodsEighty-seven MA-dependent (MA+) and 114 MA-nonusing (MA-) adults underwent neuropsychological and substance use assessments. Linear and logistic regressions examined the interaction between MA status and lifetime average drinks per drinking day on demographically corrected global neurocognitive T scores and impairment rates, controlling for recent alcohol use, lifetime cannabis use, WRAT reading performance, and lifetime depression.ResultsMA+ displayed moderately higher rates of impairment and lower T scores compared to MA-. Lifetime alcohol use significantly interacted with MA status to predict global impairment (ORR = 0.70, p = .003) such that greater lifetime alcohol use increased likelihood of impairment in MA-, but decreased likelihood of impairment in MA+. Greater lifetime alcohol use predicted poorer global T scores among MA- (b = -0.44, p = .030) but not MA+ (b = 0.08, p = .586).ConclusionsContrary to expectations, greater lifetime alcohol use related to reduced risk of neurocognitive impairment among MA users. Findings are supported by prior research identifying neurobiological mechanisms by which alcohol may attenuate stimulant-driven vasoconstriction and brain thermotoxicity. Replication and examination of neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying alcohol use in the context of MA dependence are warranted to elucidate whether alcohol confers a degree of neuroprotection.