cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of simulated pulmonary embolism in a porcine model using hyperpolarized 3He MRI

Several radiological imaging modalities are available to assist with the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). The most frequently used techniques—nuclear medicine ventilation-perfusion (VP) scan, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and pulmonary angiography (PA)—all have literature-supported, substantial limitations with respect to timeliness and patient safety. Hyperpolarized 3He magnetic resonance gas distribution imaging (HP 3He MRI) recently has shown potential as a safer and faster alternative. In this study, we performed HP 3He MRI on a porcine model (N = 6) of simulated PE using selective occlusion balloon catheterization (N = 4) and nonselective aged autologous clot injection (N = 1). The technique was also performed on a normal pig and again after the animal was killed. Temporal depletion of regional HP 3He MRI signal intensity provided for a qualitative assessment of simulated PE (N = 4), and regional PAO2 (alveolar partial pressure of oxygen) was calculated in affected airspaces for a quantitative assessment of simulated PE (N = 1). The preliminary results suggest that HP 3He MRI shows promise as a means of assessing regional pulmonary perfusion abnormalities in the porcine models of simulated PE that were used in this study. Magn Reson Med 51:291–298, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
S-Tree: a technique for buffered routing tree synthesis

We present the S-Tree algorithm for synthesis of buffered interconnects. The approach incorporates a unique combination of real-world issues (handling of routing and buffer blockages, cost minimization, critical sink isolation, sink polarities), robustness and scalability. The algorithm is able to achieve the slack comparable to that of buffered P-Tree [7] using less resources (wire and buffers) in an order of magnitude less cpu time.
Semi-supervised Learning with Weakly-Related Unlabeled Data : Towards Better Text Categorization

The cluster assumption is exploited by most semi-supervised learning (SSL) methods. However, if the unlabeled data is merely weakly related to the target classes, it becomes questionable whether driving the decision boundary to the low density regions of the unlabeled data will help the classification. In such case, the cluster assumption may not be valid; and consequently how to leverage this type of unlabeled data to enhance the classification accuracy becomes a challenge. We introduce "Semi-supervised Learning with Weakly-Related Unlabeled Data" (SSLW), an inductive method that builds upon the maximum-margin approach, towards a better usage of weakly-related unlabeled information. Although the SSLW could improve a wide range of classification tasks, in this paper, we focus on text categorization with a small training pool. The key assumption behind this work is that, even with different topics, the word usage patterns across different corpora tends to be consistent. To this end, SSLW estimates the optimal word-correlation matrix that is consistent with both the co-occurrence information derived from the weakly-related unlabeled documents and the labeled documents. For empirical evaluation, we present a direct comparison with a number of state-of-the-art methods for inductive semi-supervised learning and text categorization. We show that SSLW results in a significant improvement in categorization accuracy, equipped with a small training set and an unlabeled resource that is weakly related to the test domain.
White Teachers in Urban Classrooms: Embracing Non-White Students' Cultural Capital for Better Teaching and Learning.

The racial “mismatch” between a non-White student public school population and a primarily White teaching force continues to be underexamined through an appropriate cultural lens. This literature review provides examples of how White teachers must properly recognize non-White students’ actions and rhetoric in classroom settings as valuable cultural capital. By addressing how White teachers must reflect on their own race within the dominant school structure to close the opportunity gap, this literature review presents both a theoretical and a practical “call to action” for how White teachers in urban classrooms must critically rethink non-White students’ cultural capital in the context of teaching and learning.
Husserl’s Phenomenology and the Ontology of the Natural Sciences

Husserl’s identification of three strata of formal logic, his phenomenology of objectifying intentions, and the syntheses of fulfillment are used to catalogue the ways in which an object of scientific theory can attain or fail to attain ontological status. Examples from the history of the natural sciences are used to make the case.
The Composition of the Cell Envelope Affects Conjugation in Bacillus subtilis

Conjugation in bacteria is the contact-dependent transfer of DNA from one cell to another via donor-encoded conjugation machinery. It is a major type of horizontal gene transfer between bacteria. Conjugation of the integrative and conjugative element ICE Bs1 into Bacillus subtilis is affected by the composition of phospholipids in the cell membrane of the donor and recipient. We found that reduction (or elimination) of lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol caused by loss of mprF caused a decrease in conjugation efficiency. Conversely, alterations that caused an increase in lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol, including loss of ugtP or overproduction of mprF , caused an increase in conjugation efficiency. In addition, we found that mutations that alter production of other phospholipids, e.g., loss of clsA and yfnI , also affected conjugation, apparently without substantively altering levels of lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol, indicating that there are multiple pathways by which changes to the cell envelope affect conjugation. We found that the contribution of mprF to conjugation was affected by the chemical environment. Wild type cells were generally more responsive to addition of anions that enhanced conjugation whereas mprF mutant cells were more sensitive to combinations of anions that inhibited conjugation at pH 7. Our results indicate that mprF and lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol allow cells to maintain relatively consistent conjugation efficiencies in a variety of ionic conditions. Importance Horizontal gene transfer is a driving force in microbial evolution, enabling cells that receive DNA to acquire new genes and phenotypes. Conjugation, the contact-dependent transfer of DNA from a donor to a recipient by a donor-encoded secretion machine, is a prevalent type of horizontal gene transfer. Although critically important, it is not well understood how the recipient influences the success of conjugation. We found that the composition of phospholipids in the membrane of donors and recipients influences the success of transfer of the integrative and conjugative element ICE Bs1 in Bacillus subtilis . Specifically, the presence of lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol enables relatively constant conjugation efficiencies in a range of diverse chemical environments.
Who Are the Bulls and Bears in Global Lodging Markets

This article looks at the values of market-based equities (common stocks) based on the relative investment valuation, analyzed with several earnings multiples in global lodging markets in 2014. To be specific, we compare the value of various common stock portfolios sorted for four geographical regions with those relative value investment metrics so that we can make a solid judgment about bullish and bearish markets demonstrating investors’ confidence or stagnancy, anomalies in prices indicating under and overvalued stocks, and outperforming lodging portfolios in global markets. Common stock prices in portfolios are standardized, utilizing earnings parameters such as Current Price/Earnings Ratio (PE) and its variants (Trailing and Forward PE), Price/Earnings to Growth (PEG), and The Market Value of Debt and Equity free of Cash-to-EBITDA (Value/EBITDA). Linking the relative value with earnings proxies and the stock portfolios, which are extracted in a homogeneous industry but are sorted from heterogeneous r...
Time-Resolved Studies of Charge Recombination in the Pyrene/TCNQ Charge-Transfer Crystal: Evidence for Tunneling

Previous studies of solid-state tetracyanobenzene-based donor–acceptor complexes showed that these materials were highly susceptible to both laser and mechanical damage that complicated the analysis of their electron-transfer kinetics. In this paper, we characterize the optical properties of a pyrene/tetracyanoquinodimethane charge-transfer crystal that is much more robust than the tetracyanobenzene compounds. This donor–acceptor complex has a charge-transfer absorption that extends into the near-infrared, rendering the crystal black. We use time-resolved fluorescence and diffuse reflectance transient absorption to study its dynamics after photoexcitation. We show that the initially excited charge-transfer state undergoes a rapid, monoexponential decay with a lifetime of 290 ps at room temperature. There is no evidence for any long-lived intermediate or dark states; therefore, this decay is attributed to charge recombination back to the ground state. Fluorescence lifetime measurements demonstrate that thi...
Epidemiological Characterizations of Aged Injury Cases in Community Health Service Centers in a District of Shanghai

[Objective] To describe the patterns of injuries in residents over 60 years old in Yangpu District of Shanghai, and to provide evidence for developing relevant intervention programs. [Methods] Local registered residents(age, ≥ 60 years old) who sought medical care for injury for the first time in 11 community health service centers in Yangpu from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012 were enrolled in this present study. Descriptive analysis was performed on injury pattern and health outcomes in this group. [Results] A total of 3 940 injury cases were reported. The ratio of male to female was 1∶1.7. The leading cause of injuries was fall(66.83%). The top three places where the injuries occurred were home(69.59%), street and highway(12.11%), and public space in community(12.03%). The highest frequency of injuries was identified from August to October. [Conclusion] Fall is the leading cause of injuries among senior residents. Comprehensive preventive measures should be implemented to effectively reduce injuries occurred among the seniors.
Iron Chelation as a Chemotherapeutic Strategy for Falciparum Malaria

Abstract To examine the effect of iron chelation against human malaria, 37 Zambians with asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections were randomly assigned to 72-hr infusions of desferrioxamine B or placebo. Mean concentrations of ring forms decreased significantly with desferoxamine B (P < 0.001) but not with a placebo. Over seven days of observation, mean parasite concentrations remained at the initial levels in six individuals originally given placebo, but decreased promptly with administration of desferrioxamine B (P = 0.001). Mean parasitemia was significantly lower for up to four weeks in 16 subjects treated with desferrioxamine B when compared with the eight who had received placebo only (P = 0.027). We conclude that iron chelation has antiplasmodial activity and may offer a new therapeutic strategy for falciparum malaria.
Rapid Aspiration Screening for Suspected Stroke: Part 1: Development and Validation

Abstract Objective To develop and validate a nurse-administered screening tool to identify aspiration risk in patients with suspected stroke. Design Validity study comparing evidence-based swallowing screening items with the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) results. Setting A certified primary stroke center in a major metropolitan medical facility. Participants Consecutive patients (N=250) admitted with suspected stroke. Interventions Patients were administered evidence-based swallowing screening items by nurses. A VFSS was completed within 2 hours of swallowing screening. Main Outcome Measures Validity relative to identifying VFSS-determined aspiration for each screening item and for various combinations of items. Results Aspiration was identified in 29 of 250 participants (12%). Logistic regression revealed that age ( P =.012), dysarthria ( P =.001), abnormal volitional cough ( P =.030), and signs related to the water swallow trial ( P =.021) were significantly associated with aspiration. Validity was then determined on the basis of the best combination of significant items for predicting aspiration. The results revealed that age >70 years, dysarthria, or signs related to the water swallow trial (ie, cough, throat clear, wet vocal quality, and inability to continuously drink 90mL water) yielded 93% sensitivity and 98% negative predictive value. Conclusions The final validated tool, Rapid Aspiration Screening for Suspected Stroke, is a valid nurse-administered tool to detect risk of aspiration in patients presenting with suspected stroke.
Potential negative outcomes from sports sponsorship

While substantial literature has addressed the benefits that sponsors seek from linking with a sports property, relatively little attention has been given to the potential costs businesses risk from such relationships. This paper suggests that beyond ambushing there are eight risks companies are likely to consider. Four can be controlled relatively easily: liability exposure; insensitivity to public sentiment to changing established rules or formats, the name of a facility or team or a team's uniform; insensitivity to the prevailing societal and political environment; and opposition from workers or stockholders. Companies have less control over: poor presentation of the event; poor performance by either the sponsored team/player or the company's products if the event is being used as a demonstration platform; association with disreputable behaviour; and trauma to performers.
Individual Constancy to Color by Foraging Honey Bees

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses individual constancy to color by foraging honeybees. Flower constancy, wherein foragers actually bypass rewarding flowers to confine their visits to a single plant species, was known to Aristotle (ca 340 B.C.). This behavior is exhibited by a variety of insects but floral constancy is perhaps best documented in the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Further, individual constancy to flowers is spontaneous in Italian honeybees. By this, it means that individuals choose a flower on the basis of a suite of cues on their first visit to the patch from their hive, and they continue to visit the same flower type on repeated visits from the hive, irrespective of the alternatives available and irrespective of what their hivemates are doing. Honeybees show a high degree of constancy to both floral odor and floral color. Flower constancy raises a host of ecological, evolutionary, and physiological questions.
Robust Sequential Confidence Intervals for the Behrens–Fisher Problem*:

SummaryThe problem of providing a bounded length (sequential) confidence interval for the median of a symmetric (but otherwise unknown) distribution based on a general class of one-sample rank-order statistics was investigated in (Sen & Ghosh, 1971). The purpose of the present note is to indicate how the techniques developed there can be extended to the two-sample problem. It has been shown that in particular for the Behrens- Fisher situation (see e.g., Hoyland, 1965 or Ramchandramurty, 1966), when the proposed procedure is based on the “normal-scores” statistic, under very general conditions on the unknown distribution function (d.f.), it is asymptotically at least as efficient as an analogous procedure suggested in (Robbins, Simons & Starr, 1967) and (Srivastava, 1970).
Performance analysis of a new algorithm for power distribution system reconfiguration

Distribution system reconfiguration (DSR) is a multi-objective, non-linear problem. This paper demonstrates the performance and effectiveness of a new, fast, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (FNSGA) for the purpose of solving the DSR problem by satisfying all objectives simultaneously with a relatively small number of generations and relatively short computation time. The objectives of the problem are to minimize real power losses and improve the voltage profile and load balancing index with minimum switching operations. Instead of generating several ranks from the non-dominated set of solutions, this algorithm deals with only one rank; then the most suitable solution is chosen according to the operator's wishes. If there is no preference and all objectives have the same degree of importance, the best solution is determined by simply considering the sum of the normalized objective values. Different crossover operators and rates, population sizes, load variation, storing of previously considered topologies, and different initial topologies are applied to a widely studied test system. The results show the efficiency of this algorithm in a wide range of parameters such as crossover rate, crossover operator, population sizes, generation number and loading conditions.
Embryology meets molecular biology: Deciphering the apical ectodermal ridge

More than sixty years ago, while studying feather tracks on the shoulder of the chick embryo, Dr. John Saunders used Nile Blue dye to stain the tissue. There, he noticed a darkly stained line of cells that neatly rims the tip of the growing limb bud. Rather than ignoring this observation, he followed it up by removing this tissue and found that it led to a striking truncation of the limb skeletons. This landmark experiment marks the serendipitous discovery of the apical ectodermal ridge (AER), the quintessential embryonic structure that drives the outgrowth of the limb. Dr. Saunders continued to lead the limb field for the next fifty years, not just through his own work, but also by inspiring the next generation of researchers through his infectious love of science. Together, he and those who followed ushered in the discovery of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) as the AER molecule. The seamless marriage of embryology and molecular biology that led to the decoding of the AER serves as a shining example of how discoveries are made for the rest of the developmental biology field.
Ankle Arthroscopy With Microfracture for Osteochondral Defects of the Talus

Therapeutic arthroscopy with microfracture leads to fibrocartilaginous repair and is an effective treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus. A full diagnostic arthroscopy is performed, and then attention is turned to the osteochondral defect. We describe in detail patient positioning, ankle distraction, portal placement, steps of the diagnostic arthroscopy, and the technique of microfracture. We then discuss the special considerations to be taken regarding the use of a distractor, protection of neurovascular structures, and the indications for microfracture.
Wavelet-Coupled Machine Learning Methods for Drought Forecast Utilizing Hybrid Meteorological and Remotely-Sensed Data

In this study, a statistical drought early warning method is proposed using novel machine learning algorithms, with the inclusion of multiple drought-related attributes from precipitation, satellite-derived land cover vegetation indices, and surface discharge. The forecast is made for the long-term hydrological drought in the region of Central Valley, California. The wavelet transform analysis is employed in combination with support vector regression and artificial neural network algorithms for improving the drought prediction effectiveness. The performance of the drought prediction is evaluated using three statistical metrics: Coefficient of Determination (R2), Root-Mean-Square Error (RMSE), and Mean-Absolute-Error (MAE). The results clearly indicate that using hybrid precipitation and satellite remotelysensed data, the proposed wavelet-coupled machine learning method can effectively predict long-term drought in the area of Central Valley California, over a lead time of 3 to 6 months, which is crucial for agricultural planning, reservoir management, and authorities’ allocation of water resources.
Ecosystem Consequences of Plant Genetic Divergence with Colonization of New Habitat

When plants colonize new habitats altered by natural or anthropogenic disturbances, those individuals may encounter biotic and abiotic conditions novel to the species, which can cause plant functional trait divergence. Over time, site-driven adaptation can give rise to population-level genetic variation, with consequences for plant community dynamics and ecosystem processes. We used a series of 3000-yr-old, lava-created forest fragments on the Island of Hawai`i to examine whether disturbance and subsequent colonization can lead to genetically differentiated populations, and where differentiation occurs, if there are ecosystem consequences of trait-driven changes. These fragments are dominated by a single tree species, Metrosideros polymorpha (Myrtaceae) or ʻōhiʻa, which have been actively colonizing the surrounding lava flow created in 1858. To test our ideas about differentiation of genetically determined traits, we (1) created rooted cuttings of ʻōhiʻa individuals sampled from fragment interiors and open lava sites, raised these individuals in a greenhouse, and then used these cuttings to create a common garden where plant growth was monitored for three years; and (2) assessed genetic variation and made QST/FST comparisons using microsatellite repeat markers. Results from the greenhouse showed quantitative trait divergence in plant height and pubescence across plants sampled from fragment interior and matrix sites. Results from the subsequent common garden study confirmed that the matrix environment can select for individuals with 9.1% less shoot production and 17.3% higher leaf pubescence. We found no difference in molecular genetic variation indicating gene flow among the populations. The strongest QST level was greater than the FST estimate, indicating sympatric genetic divergence in growth traits. Tree height was correlated with ecosystem properties such as soil carbon and nitrogen storage, soil carbon turnover rates, and soil phosphatase activity, indicating that selection for growth traits will influence structure, function, and dynamics of developing ecosystems. These data show that divergence can occur on centennial timescales of early colonization.
Costs and Sustainability of a Behavioral Intervention for Urinary Incontinence Prevention

AbstractIntroduction: Many women choose behavioral interventions as first line treatment for urinary incontinence. We developed a 20-minute abbreviated video, which proved to be similar to a 2-hour in-person class in a randomized trial. This study examines economic end points for the 20-minute video relative to the 2-hour class.Methods: We randomized 332 participants to the 2-hour class and 315 to the 20-minute video. We estimated the cost for the 2-hour class, the 20-minute video and followup health care utilization. Participants were followed for 3, 12 and 24 months, and asked about health care utilization, quality of life and lost productivity. To measure perceived value, we queried each participant regarding willingness to pay. Regression analysis was used for statistical comparisons.Results: The estimated per participant cost for a 2-hour class was $38, which was more than the marginal cost of the video ($0). We found no significant differences between the treatment groups at each followup for qualit...
Cutting Edge: De Novo Glucocorticoid Synthesis by Thymic Epithelial Cells Regulates Antigen-Specific Thymocyte Selection

Glucocorticoid (GC) signaling in thymocytes counters negative selection and promotes the generation of a self-tolerant yet Ag-responsive T cell repertoire. Whereas circulating GC are derived from the adrenals, GC are also synthesized de novo in the thymus. The significance of this local production is unknown. In this study we deleted 11β-hydroxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the last step of GC biosynthesis, in thymic epithelial cells (TEC) or thymocytes. Like GC receptor-deficient T cells, T cells from mice lacking TEC-derived but not thymocyte-derived GC proliferated poorly to alloantigen, had a reduced antiviral response, and exhibited enhanced negative selection. Strikingly, basal expression of GC-responsive genes in thymocytes from mice lacking TEC-derived GC was reduced to the same degree as in GC receptor-deficient thymocytes, indicating that at steady-state the majority of biologically active GC are paracrine in origin. These findings demonstrate the importance of extra-adrenal GC even in the presence of circulating adrenal-derived GC.
The Vice President in the U.S. Senate: Examining the Consequences of Institutional Design

The constitutional placement of the vice president as the president of the Senate gives procedural control of the Senate to an individual who is not elected by the chamber. We argue that because th...
Green’s Functions for ODE

As was convincingly shown in Chap. 3, the methods of images and conformal mapping are helpful in obtaining Green’s functions for the two-dimensional Laplace equation. But it is worth noting, at the same time, that the number of problems for which these methods are productive, is notably limited. To support this assertion, recall that mixed boundary-value problems with Robin conditions imposed on a piece of the boundary are not within the reach of these methods.
Regional Planning and Development Theories

A historical look at the evolution of regional planning and regional development theories through four phases: early approaches based on resource development and environmental preservation, a second phase of welfare regionalism aimed at achieving efficient and equitable economic development at a national scale, the emergence after 1980 of a highly competitive entrepreneurial regionalism based on neoliberal ideas, and the contemporary development of a new regionalism as a cultural and political force and as the foundation for a new approach to regional planning and regional development theory. Particular attention is given to the close relations between the theory and practice of regional planning and the work of human geographers. Concluding the discussion of the new regionalism is the claim that the concepts of region and regionalism are today being given more serious attention than ever before in global, national, and urban politics and policy, as well as in the development of social, economic, and political theory.
Hierarchical-Multiobjective Framework for Energy Storage Systems

This paper addresses the integration of the hierarchical and multi-objective approaches into a unified framework. Several facets of theoretical and methodological aspects of the proposed hierarchical-multiobjective framework are discussed. The Surrogate Worth Trade-Off (SWT) method — a multiobjective optimization method — which is used as the basis for coordinating the subsystems of the various levels, is summarized for completeness.
An Efficient Two-Layer Classification Approach for Hyperspectral Images

Different from regular RGB images that only store red, green, and blue band values for each pixel, hyperspectral images are rich with information from the large portion of the spectrum, storing numerous spectral band values within each pixel. An efficient, two-layer region detection framework for hyperspectral images is introduced in this paper. The proposed framework aims to automatically identify various regions within a hyperspectral image by providing a classification for each pixel of the image, associating them to distinct regions. The first layer of the system includes two new classifiers, and is responsible for generating probability scores as the “new feature set” of the original dataset. The second layer works as an ensemble classifier and combines the newly generated features to estimate the region of the sample. Experimental results show that the proposed system can produce accurate classifications with an average area under the ROC curve of 0.98 over all regions. This result indicates the higher accuracy of the proposed system compared to some other well-known classifiers.
The maximum independent union of cliques problem: complexity and exact approaches

Given a simple graph, the maximum independent union of cliques problem is to find a maximum-cardinality subset of vertices such that each connected component of the corresponding induced subgraph is a complete graph. This recently introduced problem allows both cliques and independent sets as feasible solutions and is of significant theoretical and applied interest. This paper establishes the complexity of the problem on several classes of graphs (planar, claw-free, and bipartite graphs), and develops an integer programming formulation and an exact combinatorial branch-and-bound algorithm for solving it. Results of numerical experiments with numerous benchmark instances are also reported.
Clinical Correlations of Novel Autoantibodies in Patients with Dry Eye.

Background Diagnostic criteria for Sjogren's syndrome (SS) are continually being updated in pursuit of more precise and earlier diagnosis to prevent its complications. Owing to the high rate of false negative traditional serological markers, the need for better serological testing remains. Objective To investigate the clinical significance of three recently discovered novel autoantibodies, anti-salivary gland protein 1 (SP1), anti-carbonic anhydrase 6 (CA6), and anti-parotid secretory protein (PSP), in a cohort of dry eye patients with suspected underlying inflammatory/autoimmune disease. Methods Medical records of 136 patients with a primary diagnosis of dry eye who underwent laboratory testing between April 2014 and July 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Data regarding demographic information, ocular and systemic symptoms, previous medical diagnoses, serological test results, and minor salivary gland biopsy results were collected. Dry eye evaluations included tear osmolarity, Schirmer test without anesthesia, conjunctival lissamine green staining, and corneal fluorescein staining in the order listed here. Results Of the 136 patients, 9 (9/136, 6.6%) presented with a history of SS, and 9 additional patients (9/127, 7%) received a new diagnosis of SS as a result of evaluations. Fifty-six patients (56/136, 41%) tested positive for at least one of the novel autoantibodies. Fifty-four percent (6/11) of patients with primary SS who underwent the novel serological testing had a positive anti-PSP. Of those, 2 (2/11, 18%) had negative traditional serology and had to undergo minor salivary gland biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Anti-CA6 was associated with increased corneal and conjunctival staining after adjusting for age, sex, and other serologic markers (HR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.20-1.97, and p = 0.009 and HR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.04-1.76, and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusions This cross-sectional study demonstrated that anti-CA6 is seen in patients with severe aqueous-deficient dry eye. Whether these patients have an early stage of SS or a different type of autoimmune condition may be determined through longitudinal studies.
A Comprehensive Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Consolidation Model: A Machine Learning Approach.

Abstract In the United States, there are approximately 212,000 highway-rail grade crossings, some of which experience vehicle-train incidents that often cause a massive financial burden, loss of life, and injury. In 2017, there were 2,108 highway-rail incidents resulting in 827 injuries and 307 fatalities nationwide. To eliminate collision risks, crossing grade separation and active alarm improvement are commonly used. Moreover, crossing closures are considered to be the most effective safety improvement program. While it may be very difficult, and in some cases impossible to close crossings, there are some incentive programs that facilitate the closure process. One of these programs is a working consolidation model that aims to determine crossing closure suitability. Using details of highway-rail grade crossings in the United States and applying an eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGboost) algorithm, this paper proposes a data-driven consolidation model that takes into consideration a number of engineering variables. The results indicated an overall accuracy of 0.991 for the proposed model. In addition, the developed XGboost consolidation model reported the relative importance of the variables input to the model, offering an in-depth understanding of the model’s behavior. Finally, for the practical implementation of the model, a simplified version containing fewer variables was developed. A sensitivity analysis was performed considering the aggregate gain and the different correlation threshold values between variables. This analysis developed a simplified model utilizing 14 variables, with aggregated gain values of 75% and a correlation threshold of 0.9 which would perform similarly to the full model. Based on this model, 62% of current highway-rail grade crossings should be closed.
Prediction of membrane separation efficiency for hydrophobic and hydrophilic proteins : A coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulation study.

A coarse-grained Brownian dynamics model was used to simulate two proteins of similar sizes inside model membrane pores of varying size and hydrophobicity. The two proteins, which have radii of gyration of approximately 9.5 A in their native states, are a 36-residue hydrophilic villin head piece (HP-36) and a 40-residue hydrophobic amyloid beta (Aβ-40). From calculations of the separation factor, it is found that the two proteins are best separated using a pore radius of 15 A and that hydrophobic pores select Aβ-40 while the hydrophilic pores preferentially pass through HP-36. In addition, it is found that a simple model based on the net hydropathy of a protein is capable of estimating the separation factor trends of other protein pairs. Together, the coarse-grained Brownian dynamics model and the simple model are fast methodologies to guide experimental membrane design and to provide insights on protein structure variations. Graphical Abstract Simulation setup and snapshots of protein in various pore sizes.
Effect of Vitamin B12 combined with mouse nerve growth factor on intelligence improvement in rats with cerebral palsy and the related mechanism

Objective To investigate the effect of vitamin B12 (VB12) combined with mouse nerve growth factor (MNGF) on the intelligence improvement in rats with cerebral palsy rats and the related mechanism. Methods Sixty 14-day-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, VB12 group, MNGF group and VB12+MNGF group (n=12 each) . Cerebral palsy was modeled in all rats except for the control group. The VB12 group was given intraperitoneal injection of 10 ml/kg VB12 (added with sterile normal saline to a final concentration of 70 mg/100 ml) once daily; the MNGF group was given intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 ml MNGF once daily; the VB12+MNGF group received combined intervention as in the VB12 group and the MNGF group; the control group and the model group were given the equivalent amount of sterile normal saline. All the young rats were intervened for 21 days, and were then compared for the general conditions, results of Y-maze test, cerebral cortex apoptosis index (AI) , and the mRNA and protein expression of aspartate-specific cysteine protease-3 (Caspase-3) , B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) , Bcl-2 related X protein (Bax) in the prefrontal cortex brain tissues. Results The control group were normal in dieting, rotation behaviors, walking, daily activities, sleep, urination and defecation. The body weight showed a tendency of natural growth in all groups, which was most eminent in the control group, followed by VB12+MNGF group, MNGF group, VB12 group, and the model group. The number of correct response and the time spent running to the safety zone with light on in the Y maze test, cerebral cortex AI, and the mRNA and protein expression of Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax in the prefrontal cortex brain tissues statistically significant among groups (P<0.05) and between groups (P<0.05) . The control group showed the highest number of correct response, followed by the VB12+MNGF group, MNGF group, VB12 group and model group. The model group had the longest time to escape to the safety zone with light on, followed by the VB12 group, MNGF group, VB12+MNGF group, and the control group. The levels of cerebral cortex AI, and the mRNA and protein expression of Caspase-3 and Bax in the prefrontal cortex brain tissues were the highest in the model group, followed by VB12 group, MNGF group, VB12+MNGF group and the control group. The levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression were the highest in the control group, followed by VB12+MNGF group, MNGF group, VB12 group and model group. Conclusion VB12 combined with MNGF may significantly improve the general condition and intelligence, and reduce neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex of young rats with cerebral palsy, probably via down-regulating the mRNA and protein expression of Caspase-3 and Bax mRNA and protein, and up-regulating the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2. Key words: Vitamin B12; Mouse nerve growth factor; Cerebral palsy; Young rats; Intelligence; Mechanism
Path to Reopening Surgery in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Neurosurgery Experience.

Abstract Objective To test the efficacy of an innovative coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preoperative triage protocol as a way to gradually reopen and ramp-up elective surgeries. Patients and Methods We reviewed clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data for all patients who underwent surgery within the neurosurgery department from March 26 through April 22, 2020. We collected data on demographic information, comorbidities, preoperative COVID-19 test results, whether COVID-19 respiratory or other symptoms were developed during hospitalization, hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, and postoperative COVID-19 test results. Results Using a combination of both preoperative outpatient COVID-19 drive-through and inpatient testing to obtain surgical clearance with selected telemedicine evaluations, 103 nonelective neurosurgical procedures were performed in 102 patients. No patients tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) 48 hours before surgery. None of the patients developed any COVID-19 symptoms during their hospitalization or were readmitted to our emergency department postoperatively for COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion We describe a multifaceted preoperative triage protocol for safely performing nonelective neurosurgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could help other neurosurgical departments and hospitals minimize coronavirus exposure for patients and health care workers. We believe this triage strategy could be implemented at other centers to gradually restart a process toward elective surgeries in a safe way.
Mining Timing Constraints from Event Logs for Process Model

Process mining is a technique for extracting process models from event logs. Event logs contain abundant information related to an event such as the timestamp of the event, the actions that triggers the event, etc. Much of existing process mining research has been focused on discoveries of process models behind event logs. How to uncover the timing constraints from event logs that are associated with the discovered process models is not well-studied. In this paper, we present an approach that extends existing process mining techniques to not only mine but also integrate timing constraints with process models discovered and constructed by existing process mining algorithms. The approach contains three major steps, i.e., first, for a given process model constructed by an existing process mining algorithm and represented as a workflow net, extract a time dependent set for each transition in the workflow net model. Second, based on the time dependent sets, develop an algorithm to extract timing constraints from event logs for each transition in the model. Third, extend the original workflow net into a time Petri net where the discovered timing constraints are associated with their corresponding transitions. A real-life road traffic fine management process scenario is used as a case study to show how timing constraints in the fine management process can be discovered from event logs with our approach.
Finite element analysis of micromechanical failure modes in a heterogeneous ceramic material system

A micromechanical model that provides explicit accounts for arbitrary microstructures and arbitrary fracture patterns is developed and used. The approach uses both a constitutive law for the bulk solid constituents and a constitutive law for fracture surfaces. The model is based on a cohesive surface formulation of Xu and Needleman and represents a phenomenological characterization for atomic forces on potential crack/microcrack surfaces. This framework of analysis does not require the use of continuum fracture criteria which assume, for example, the existence of K-fields. Numerical analyses carried out concern failure in the forms of crack propagation and microcrack formation. Actual microstructures of brittle alumina/titanium diboride (Al2O3/TiB2) composites are used. The results demonstrate the effects of microstructure and material inhomogeneities on the selection of failure modes in this material system. For example, the strength of interfaces between the phases is found to significantly influence the failure characteristics. When weak interfacial strength exists, interfacial debonding and microcrack initiation and growth are the principal mode of failure. When strong interfacial strength is derived from material processing, advancement of a dominant crack and crack branching are observed.
COVID-19 vaccine response in pregnant and lactating women: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant and lactating women were excluded from initial COVID-19 vaccine trials; thus, data to guide vaccine decision-making are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in pregnant and lactating women compared to: (1) non-pregnant controls and (2) natural COVID-19 infection in pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: 131 reproductive-age vaccine recipients (84 pregnant, 31 lactating, and 16 non-pregnant) were enrolled in a prospective cohort study at two academic medical centers. Titers of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and RBD IgG, IgA and IgM were quantified in participant sera (N=131) and breastmilk (N=31) at baseline, second vaccine dose, 2-6 weeks post second vaccine, and at delivery by Luminex. Umbilical cord sera (N=10) titers were assessed at delivery. Titers were compared to those of pregnant women 4-12 weeks from natural infection (N=37) by ELISA. A pseudovirus neutralization assay was used to quantify neutralizing antibody titers for the subset of women who delivered during the study period. Post-vaccination symptoms were assessed via questionnaire. Kruskal-Wallis tests and a mixed effects model, with correction for multiple comparisons, were used to assess differences between groups. RESULTS: Vaccine-induced antibody titers were equivalent in pregnant and lactating compared to non-pregnant women (median [IQR] 5.59 [4.68-5.89] pregnant, 5.74 [5.06-6.22] lactating, 5.62 [4.77-5.98] non-pregnant, p = 0.24). All titers were significantly higher than those induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy (p < 0.0001). Vaccine-generated antibodies were present in all umbilical cord blood and breastmilk samples. Neutralizing antibody titers were lower in umbilical cord compared to maternal sera, although this finding did not achieve statistical significance (median [IQR] 104.7 [61.2-188.2] maternal sera, 52.3 [11.7-69.6] cord sera, p=0.05). The second vaccine dose (boost dose) increased SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG, but not IgA, in maternal blood and breastmilk. No differences were noted in reactogenicity across the groups. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines generated robust humoral immunity in pregnant and lactating women, with immunogenicity and reactogenicity similar to that observed in non-pregnant women. Vaccine-induced immune responses were significantly greater than the response to natural infection. Immune transfer to neonates occurred via placenta and breastmilk.
Palladium(0)-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of 2-Trimethylsilylpyridine with Aryl Halides.

The Hiyama coupling of substrate (I) with aryl halides is optimized including CataCXium A as the optimal ligand.
Quantitative modeling of radioactive cesium concentrations in large omnivorous mammals after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident.

Large quantities of radionuclides released by the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident entered terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The resulting radioactive contamination of large omnivorous wild mammals such as wild boar (Sus scrofa) and Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) varied greatly depending on location, season, and time after the accident. Quantitative modeling of how such factors influence radionuclide burdens in these species is important for enhancing current knowledge of chronic radionuclide exposure consequences in mammalian populations, and for assessing potential human risks from consumption of contaminated animal meat. Here we modeled the time course of radioactive cesium (134Cs + 137Cs) concentrations in boar and black bears from Fukushima Prefecture over ~ 7 years after the accident, using nonlinear robust and quantile regressions and mixed-effects modeling. To estimate predictive performance, models fitted to the full data set were compared with those fitted only to the first 3.5 years of data, and tested on the last 3.5 years of data. Ecological half-lives for radioactive cesium, and magnitudes and phase shifts for sinusoidal seasonal oscillations in cesium burdens, were estimated by each analysis method for each species. These results can improve the understanding and prediction of radionuclide concentrations in large mammals that inhabit radioactively contaminated areas.
Ciudades Y La Lucha Contra El Cambio Climático: Experiencias De Municipios Estadounidenses (Cities and Climate Change: Experiences from U.S. Municipalities)

Spanish Abstract: El ejecutivo estadounidense elegido a finales de 2016 ha dejado claro que la lucha contra el cambio climatico no se encuentra entre sus prioridades. En parte como consecuencia de ello, varias ciudades americanas han acelerado sus politicas climaticas, algunas de las cuales vienen implementandose ya desde hace anos. La experiencia americana sugie170 QDL46 · Cuadernos de Derecho Local Fundacion Democracia y Gobierno Local re que una de las claves para la reduccion de gases de efecto invernadero a nivel municipal pasa por abordar el problema de la ineficiencia energetica de edificios existentes, especialmente en ciudades con un elevado numero de edificios antiguos. Asimismo, la expansion del uso de la energia solar en zonas urbanas puede contribuir a reducir de forma significativa el uso de combustibles fosiles. English Abstract: The United States executive that was elected in late 2016 has made it clear that fighting climate change is not among its priorities. Partly in response to this, several American cities have sped up their climate policies, some of which started being implemented years ago. The experience in U.S. cities suggests that the inefficiency of existing buildings is one of the key factors that must be addressed in order to reduce greenhouse gases at the local level, especially in cities with a high number of old buildings. Moreover, expanding the use of rooftop solar can contribute to reducing the consumption of fossil fuels.