cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Control Strategy of Active Power Intelligent Control System for Large Cluster of Wind Farms Part One Coordination Control for Wind Farms

In view of the present situation and problems existing in China's wind power operation,as well as the status quo of wind farms active power control,a control strategy is proposed for large cluster of wind farms active power intelligent control system.The overall concepts and framework,the control models and exceptional conditions handling strategy are introduced.The two coordination control methods,i.e.the maximum output control method and the output tracking control method are designed for the wind farms.Results of applying the strategy proposed to the actual operation in Gansu power grid prove its feasibility.
Research on Application of Full-face Pre-reinforcing Technology in High Speed Railway Tunnel

The key of maintaining the tunnel stability lies on how to deal with the advance core soil ahead of working face,which is obtained on basis of analysis on the problems in high speed railway tunnels with big cross-sections in soft surrounding rock or soil.Full-face pre-reinforcing method by fiberglass bolts can enhance the equivalent rigidity of the advance core soil and control the deformation of the advance core soil,so that arch effect can play its role naturally and assure the excavation safety.The paper presents some basic concepts for the full-face pre-reinforcing method by fiberglass bolts and takes the finite element method to implement 3D numerical simulation of this construction method.Simultaneously,the basic application principle of this method in design and construction is presented.This paper can provide theoretical support for the application and popularization of this method in tunnel construction.
Sexual Dysfunction in Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Background Disruption of psychosexual development and sexual dysfunction are well recognized as profoundly distressing long-term side effects of pediatric cancer treatment. However, little is known about the specific sexual problems facing young adult survivors of childhood cancer (YASCC) and their unmet clinical needs. In this study, we aimed to utilize qualitative methods to characterize sexual dysfunction in YASCC and identify survivor-reported unmet clinical need regarding sexual health information and care. Procedure Semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 YASCC (ages 18–31; 10 men, 12 women) reporting sexual dysfunction. Interviews were conducted in English by phone or in person. All interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Inductive open-coding procedures identified participants’ experiences with sexual dysfunction and clinical care needs. Themes were identified by grouping pattern-forming codes in the data. Results Interviews with YASCC reporting sexual dysfunction revealed five overarching themes including interruption of adolescent psychosocial development, physical and psychological problems with sexual function, altered perceptions of body image, concern about fertility, and inadequate clinical support. Conclusions The experiences described by YASCC provide valuable insight into the nature of sexual dysfunction in this population and their clinical care needs. These data provide the framework for future research on sexual dysfunction screening measures, patient–physician communication, and effective interventions to address sexual dysfunction in YASCC.
Depression in the child and adolescent

Changes in criteria for Major Depression introduced in the DSM-IV will impact on the diagnosis of children and adolescents. Specifically, the new criteria are more rigorous, and the excessively high rate of Major Depression in epidemiological samples should be reduced. Atypical depression is now recognized as a distinct diagnosis. It appears to be common in adolescent depression, and its recognition should influence treatment.
Prevalence and commonalities of informed consent templates for biomedical research

Improving the informed consent process is a common theme in literature regarding biomedical human subjects research. Standards for appropriate language and required information have undergone scrut...
#FIFAputos: A Twitter Textual Analysis Over “Puto” at the 2014 World Cup

The word puto introduced semantic controversy into the 2014 World Cup. The word has been equated by some to a homophobic slur among the ranks of fag and faggot. American media and equality activists petitioned against the use of the word in Entertainment and Sports Programming Network and Univision broadcasts. Mexican soccer fans who used the word in a chant during matches argue that the word has no homophobic context in its use and is instead geared at distracting the opposing team. The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) opened up an investigation into the use of the word by Mexican soccer fans and concluded that it was not a violation of their code of conduct and permitted its use; however, debate around the word still exists. Even though the debate was covered thoroughly by American media, stories failed to express the views and perspectives of those in support of the chant. The current study employed a textual analysis of tweets defending the chat that included the hashtag #FIFAp...
RANDOM NUMBER GENERATORS

This chapter reviews random generators. Sequences of random numbers are required for such computer applications as automated design of experiments, montecarlo studies, and discrete event simulation. Such numbers are readily available in tabular form in the literature. However, such tables are not efficiently handled in a computer. To save I/O time and storage space, the numbers can be generated one by one on the computer when needed. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to generate truly random sequences of numbers in the computer. Sequences that are not random but do pass all statistical tests that a truly random sequence should pass are referred to as pseudorandom sequences. There are a large number of different pseudorandom number generators available today. Of them, the multiplicative congruential method for generation of uniformly distributed random numbers is one of the most effective.
The Effect of Contingent Fees and Statutory Fee-Shifting

Contingent-fee and statutory fee-shifting provisions shift costs away from the client and to the back end of the litigation. David Noll's analysis suggests that even with these arrangements, only a limited number of attorneys are willing and able to finance plaintiff-side litigation. The result is that the demand for legal assistance in cases with fee-shifting devices exceeds the supply of lawyers who handle these cases. Noll concludes that alternative payment arrangements that place the burden of costs on the lawyer will not solve the affordability problem. Litigation is time-consuming, and the complexity of American law and importance of understanding court procedure place pro se litigants at a demonstrable disadvantage to counseled parties. But, for the victim of a legal injury, the cost of representation may be so high that the only viable way to assert a claim is to proceed pro se. The high cost of legal services therefore can lead to a denial of justice in a very practical sense. Though an individual is formally entitled to a remedy, the cost of claiming makes obtaining one impossible. Such access-preclusive costs result in part from two norms governing attorney fees in the United States: the “American” rule of attorney fees, whereby litigants are responsible for their own attorney fees, and the practice of charging for legal services on an hourly basis. It is therefore unsurprising that legal policymakers have attempted to expand court access by authorizing departures from those norms. “No win no fee” contingent-fee agreements and statutory fee-shifting provisions both modify the timing of payment for legal services; instead of being paid as services are rendered, an attorney is paid upon obtaining a recovery. In the case of fee-shifting provisions, ultimate responsibility for the cost of legal services is also transferred to the losing defendant. But what effect do these ameliorative mechanisms have on the basic problem of access-preclusive costs? Do they ensure that individuals with meritorious claims are able to make use of the civil justice system? In one sense the answer is easy. Domestic relations disputes, for instance, make up a significant proportion of Americans’ legal problems, but the coverage of fee-shifting statutes in this context is sporadic, and ethical rules generally prohibit contingency fees paid to outcomes such as a divorce.
Alternative payment models: From bundled payments for care improvement and comprehensive care for joint replacement to the future?

Abstract Since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been mandated to transform from a passive consumer to an active purchaser of healthcare. The goal of this article is to report on the various bundle payment initiatives [Acute Care Episode Demonstration Project (ACE-DP), Bundle Payment for Care Improvement (BPCI), and Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR)] sanctioned by CMS, and how these innovative reimbursement systems may affect orthopedic practice. The authors will also speculate on future reimbursement systems and how they may be integrated with big data principles to further enhance the quality and efficiency of orthopedic care.
The PILI 'Ohana Project: a community-academic partnership to achieve metabolic health equity in Hawai'i.

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) have higher rates of excess body weight and related medical disorders, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, compared to other ethnic groups in Hawai‘i. To address this metabolic health inequity, the Partnership for Improving Lifestyle Intervention (PILI) ‘Ohana Project, a community-academic partnership, was formed over eight years ago and developed two community-placed health promotion programs: the PILI Lifestyle Program (PLP) to address overweight/obesity and the Partners in Care (PIC) to address diabetes self-care. This article describes and reviews the innovations, scientific discoveries, and community capacity built over the last eight years by the PILI ‘Ohana Project's (POP) partnership in working toward metabolic health equity. It also briefly describes the plans to disseminate and implement the PLP and PIC in other NHPI communities. Highlighted in this article is how scientific discoveries can have a real-world impact on health disparate populations by integrating community wisdom and academic expertise to achieve social and health equity through research.
Machine learning for integer programming

Mixed Integer Programs (MIP) are solved exactly by tree-based branch-and-bound search. However, various components of the algorithm involve making decisions that are currently addressed heuristically. Instead, I propose to use machine learning (ML) approaches such as supervised ranking and multi-armed bandits to make better-informed, input-specific decisions during MIP branch-and-bound. My thesis aims at improving the overall performance of MIP solvers. To illustrate the potential for ML in MIP, I have so far tackled branching variable selection, a crucial component of the search procedure, showing that ML approaches for variable selection can outperform traditional heuristics.
Intra-S-Phase Regulator cdc7 Is a Gene Target of the c-Myb Proto-Oncogene in Human Leukemias.

The c-myb proto-oncogene encodes a transcription factor, Myb, which is essential for normal hematopoiesis. Myb may also play a role in leukemogenesis but possible mechanisms remain ill defined. To gain further insights into this issue, we sought to identify Myb regulated genes in human myeloid leukemic cells utilizing a tamoxifen inducible expression system and a microarray approach. Myb function was conditionally abrogated by tamoxifen following infection of K562 cells with a bicistronic retroviral vector MIGR1 which had c-myb’s DNA binding domain (DBD) and the Drosophila engrailed protein transcription repressor domain (MERT) fused to a modified estrogen receptor that binds tamoxifen. MERT was subcloned upstream of an IRES-EGFP cassette in MIGR1 to allow for FACS purification on the basis of GFP expression. To identify Myb regulated genes, purified K562-MERT cells were exposed to 1 μM tamoxifen or ethanol (control) for three days, processed for hybridization to the microarray gene chip and analyzed by software algorithms from Incyte and Arrayex. When endogenous Myb activity was suppressed by MERT, 105 genes out of 10,000 genes on the microarray chip changed > 2-fold in expression. Of these 105 genes, 34 increased their expression >2-fold while 70 decreased their expression >2-fold. Since Myb expression is elevated in leukemic cells, we hypothesized that Myb functions in malignant hematopoietic cells to induce the expression of genes that are essential for their maintenance and survival. Therefore, we focused on those genes that decreased in expression when Myb activity was inhibited by MERT. Among the most repressed was cdc7 (2.8-fold decrease), an intra-S-phase regulator. To verify the microarray data, we utilized real-time PCR to quantitate the expression of cdc7 in our K562-MERT cells. Cdc7 expression decreased 5-fold in tamoxifen treated K562-MERT cells relative to control cells, which is consistent with the microarray data. We then performed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments to determine whether cdc7 is a direct target of Myb. When the chromatin from untreated K562 and K562-MERT cells was immunoprecipitated with anti-c-Myb, we observed one PCR product using a primer pair that flanked the Myb binding sites in the promoter region of cdc7. This same result was observed in our positive control ChIP experiment in which the chromatin was immunoprecipitated with anti-acetyl histone H4, indicating that the region of the cdc7 promoter containing the Myb binding sites is poised for transcription. When Myb transactivation activity was inhibited by MERT in K562-MERT cells, no PCR product was observed following chromatin immunoprepitation with anti-c-Myb. These results strongly suggest that cdc7 is a direct gene target of c-Myb in malignant hematopoietic cells. Investigation of the transcriptional regulation of cdc7 in hematopoietic cells may yield new clues to Myb’s role in leukemogenesis.
Exploring Sense of Belonging among Black International Students at an HBCU.

This study elucidates the experiences of HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) students who are racially Black, but differ in nativity and nationality from their Black American peers. The purpose is to examine Black HBCU international students’ sense of belonging on campus. This study engages qualitative individual interviews with ten Black international HBCU students and utilizes the constant comparative analytic process. Findings revealed Black international HBCU students’ perceptions of race and nativity shape their university experiences as they sought to maintain national identity while adjusting to the HBCU environment and engaging in cross-cultural interactions with Black Americans. Recommendations include embracing a heterogeneous perspective when developing services, programs, and research studies related to the experiences of Black students.
50 Gb/s PAM4 Modulated 1065 nm Single-Mode VCSELs Using SMF-28 for Mega-Data Centers

Optical interconnections for mega-data centers will require longer link lengths than can be readily provided with today’s low-cost vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL)-based multi-mode technologies. We demonstrate a solution based on 1065-nm single-mode bottom emitting VCSELs to transmit data at 50 Gb/s using four-level pulse-amplitude modulation over a distance of 2 km using a standard single-mode fiber (SMF-28). We address potential concerns regarding the unwanted higher order LP11 mode that can propagate in the SMF-28 fiber. The single-mode VCSELs have oxide apertures in the 6– $7~\mu \text{m}$ range to reduce series resistance and increase output power.
Clozapine-Associated Aspiration Pneumonia: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Background While risk of medication-induced movement disorders is lower for most atypical antipsychotics compared to typical antipsychotics, atypical antipsychotics are more commonly associated with weight gain and metabolic abnormalities. They are also associated with more serious and life-threatening conditions; in particular, clozapine has been linked to agranulocytosis, myocarditis, and gut dysmotility. Increasingly, an association has been established between clozapine and lower respiratory infection. Objective/Method Two cases are presented of lower respiratory infection developed in the context of clozapine use. Ms. J is a 62-year-old woman with schizoaffective disorder, who was started on clozapine for catatonia. Ms. A is 49 year-old woman with schizoaffective disorder and intellectual disability, who was started on clozapine for psychosis and agitation. Each presented with fever and cough requiring respiratory support and other resuscitative measures. Results Cardiac evaluation ruled out cardiac cause of presentation. CT chest in both cases revealed multifocal infiltrates consistent with an infectious process. Ms. J′s respiratory culture grew Streptococcus viridans, a bacterium commonly found in the oral cavity. Discussion Aspiration was the most likely mechanism for pneumonia in these patients, given the microbiology and radiology findings. Monitoring for sedation, sialorrhea, and dysphagia during clozapine initiation is warranted, particularly in populations with increased risk of pneumonia including women, patients receiving high dose therapy, and those with multiple medications or comorbidities. In patients presenting with fever, elevated WBC count or altered mental status, there should be a high index of suspicion for aspiration pneumonia and immediate medical care is necessary to avoid devastating outcomes.
Efficacy of Balance and Eye-Movement Exercises for Persons With Multiple Sclerosis (BEEMS)

Objective To determine whether a multifaceted vestibular-related rehabilitation program (Balance and Eye-Movement Exercises for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis; BEEMS) improves balance in persons with MS and whether there are differences in outcomes based on brainstem/cerebellar lesion involvement. Methods A 2-arm, examiner-blinded, stratified (involvement vs no involvement of brainstem/cerebellar structures), randomized controlled trial was implemented. Eighty-eight participants were allocated to BEEMS or no treatment control. Computerized Dynamic Posturography-Sensory Organization Test (CDP-SOT) measured balance control. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and Short Form-36 Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36) were also administered. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the primary and secondary aims. Results From baseline to 6 weeks, BEEMS participants experienced greater improvements compared to control participants in CDP-SOT composite (model-estimated difference in change 4.9, 95% confidence interval 1.39–8.38, p = 0.006), DHI total (−13.5, −17.7 to −7.25, p p p = 0.0006), and SF-36 Physical (3.5, 1.12–5.81, p = 0.004) scores and from baseline to 14 weeks in CDP-SOT composite (8.3, 4.73–11.9, p p p p = 0.02), and SF-36 Physical (3.2, 0.79–5.62, p = 0.01) scores. From baseline to 6 weeks, BEEMS participants with brainstem/cerebellar lesion involvement experienced greater improvements compared to those without in CDP-SOT composite (5.26, 0.34–10.2, p = 0.04) and MFIS total (−7.6, −14.0 to −1.33, p = 0.02) scores. Conclusion BEEMS improved multiple outcomes regardless of whether brainstem/cerebellar lesions were present, supporting the generalizability of BEEMS for ambulatory people with MS who have at least minimally impaired balance and fatigue. Clinical trials.gov identifier NCT01698086. Classification of evidence This study provides Class I evidence that BEEMS training improves dynamic posturography-based balance, dizziness, fatigue, and quality of life in persons with MS.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR OUTFLOW TRACT AFTER TRANSCATHETER MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is considered to increase mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). We aimed to assess the impact of TMVR on LVOT using 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE). Echocardiography data in 21
Identification and validation of radiographic enhancement for reliable differentiation of CD117(+) benign renal oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

Purpose: The diagnostic differential for CD117/KIT(+) oncocytic renal tumor biopsies is limited to benign renal oncocytoma versus chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC); however, further differentiation is often challenging and requires surgical resection. We investigated clinical variables that might improve preoperative differentiation of CD117(+) renal oncocytoma versus ChRCC to avoid the need for benign tumor resection.Experimental Design: A total of 124 nephrectomy patients from a single institute with 133 renal oncocytoma or ChRCC tumors were studied. Patients from 2003 to 2012 comprised a retrospective cohort to identify clinical/radiographic variables associated with renal oncocytoma versus ChRCC. Prospective validation was performed among consecutive renal oncocytoma/ChRCC tumors resected from 2013 to 2017.Results: Tumor size and younger age were associated with ChRCC, and multifocality with renal oncocytoma; however, the most reliable variable for ChRCC versus renal oncocytoma differentiation was the tumor:cortex peak early-phase enhancement ratio (PEER) using multiphase CT. Among 54 PEER-evaluable tumors in the retrospective cohort [19 CD117(+), 13 CD117(-), 22 CD117-untested], PEER classified each correctly as renal oncocytoma (PEER >0.50) or ChRCC (PEER ≤0.50), except for four misclassified CD117(-) ChRCC variants. Prospective study of PEER confirmed 100% accuracy of renal oncocytoma/ChRCC classification among 22/22 additional CD117(+) tumors. Prospective interobserver reproducibility was excellent for PEER scoring (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.97) and perfect for renal oncocytoma/ChRCC assignment (ICC = 1.0).Conclusions: In the largest clinical comparison of renal oncocytoma versus ChRCC to our knowledge, we identified and prospectively validated a reproducible radiographic measure that differentiates CD117(+) renal oncocytoma from ChRCC with potentially 100% accuracy. PEER may allow reliable biopsy-based diagnosis of CD117(+) renal oncocytoma, avoiding the need for diagnostic nephrectomy. Clin Cancer Res; 24(16); 3898-907. ©2018 AACR.
Cooperative cognitive electronic warfare UAV game modeling for frequency hopping radar

In modern warfare concepts, the use of wireless communications and network-centric topologies with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) creates an opportunity to combine the familiar concepts of wireless beamforming in opportunistic random arrays and swarm UAVs. Similar in concept to the collaborative beamforming used in ground-based randomly distributed array systems, our novel approach improves wireless beamforming performance by leveraging cooperative location and function knowledge. This enables the capabilities of individual UAVs to be enhanced, using swarming and cooperative beamforming techniques, for more-effective support of complex radar jamming and deception missions. In addition, a dedicated System Oversight function can be used to optimize the number of beamforming UAVs required to jam a given target and manage deception assets.
Abstract 1192: The Association of Pericardial Fat With Coronary Artery Plaque by MRI: The Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background: Pericardial fat releases more inflammatory cytokines compared to subcutaneous fat, which may lead to coronary atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship of coronary artery plaque, expressed by the eccentricity of coronary artery wall thickness, versus volume of pericardial fat. Methods and materials: Coronary artery MRI for 94 male participants without clinical cardiovascular disease (61± 9 yrs) in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) was performed at 1.5 T. Coronary artery wall images were acquired from left main (LM), the proximal portions of left anterior descending (LAD) and right coronary artery (RCA) using a black-blood TSE technique. Coronary artery wall images were analyzed and the maximum and minimum wall thicknesses were measured. Coronary artery plaque eccentricity was defined as maximum/minimum wall thickness. The volume of pericardial fat and coronary artery calcium score (CAC) were measured by CT scans. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was obtained by ultrasound. Linear regression was used to determine the relationship of coronary plaque eccentricity to height-adjusted pericardial fat, cardiovascular risk factors, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, C-reactive protein (CRP), CAC, and carotid IMT. Results: Mean coronary plaque eccentricity was 2.4± 0.9, mean volume of pericardial fat 88.8±53.8 cm 3 . There was a significant relationship of plaque eccentricity to pericardial fat volume (p=0.0007). An increment of 1 s.d. (53.8 cm 3 ) in height-adjusted pericardial fat was associated with a 0.3 increase of the plaque eccentricity. The relationship remained significant in multi-variable models (p=0.004) after adjusting for BMI, height-adjusted waist circumference, and cardiovascular risk factors. These relationships remained significant after further adjustment for CAC and IMT (P=0.01). Height-adjusted waist circumference and BMI were not related to coronary plaque eccentricity. CRP was positively related to the plaque eccentricity in univariate model (p=0.01). Conclusion: Pericardial fat was associated with coronary plaque eccentricity in male participants with subclinical atherosclerosis, independent of BMI and cardiovascular risk factors.
Producing Quality: A Social Network Analysis of Coproduction Relationships in High Grossing Versus Highly Lauded Films in the U.S. Market

While mainstream U.S. film production has been derided as following a “lowest common denominator” blockbuster-style logic, the industry has actually produced both popular and highly regarded productions. To imagine an alternative (lower cost, higher quality) Hollywood of the future, this article set out to examine the network structure of coproductions in both high grossing and in highly lauded films in the U.S. market for a recent five-year period. Using social network analysis, this study shows that the funding structures of both types of films were less centralized, dense, and clustered than is commonly believed. Coproduction networks of highly lauded films, however, did exhibit structural differences from their high grossing counterparts that suggest more collaboration and penetrability. If the future of film production looks like the structures of the alternative Hollywood described here, we may see a more cooperative, dispersed, and international industrial structure for the future.
Optic nerve sheath meningoceles. Clinical and radiographic features in 13 cases with a review of the literature

Thirteen patients with dilated intraorbital optic nerve sheaths with an expanded, patulous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space were studied with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eleven patients had bilateral findings. Headache or visual complaints, or both, were present in all patients. Signs of optic nerve dysfunction were present in eight patients. Three patients had visual acuity worse than 20/200. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure was mildly elevated in two patients. Three patients underwent a surgical procedure; visual acuity improved in one. The authors propose the term meningocele for this condition and suggest MRI with fat-suppression techniques and off-axis sagittal views as the radiographic procedure of choice.
Pituitary Trophic Status as a Tumorigenic Determinant

Pituitary tumors are commonly encountered benign adenomas. Pituitary cell trophic status is an important determinant of pituitary adenoma development. Hormone secreting anterior pituitary cells exhibit slow turnover rates. Subsequent postnatal alterations in pituitary size are determined throughout the lifespan by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. PTTG, a mammalian securin protein is overexpressed in several endocrine (pituitary, thyroid, breast) tumors, promotes pituitary cell proliferation, and is also a powerful transforming gene. Senescence, or proliferative arrest can be triggered by aneuploidy or DNA-damage, and Pttg deficiency triggers pituitary cell proliferation arrest, aneuploidy and DNA damage pathway. We hypothesize that pituitary senescence accounts for the overwhelming predominance of benign vs. malignant pituitary tumors, and here we present evidence favoring this hypothesis derived from the Pttg-null mouse.
Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators Regulating Sleep and Wakefulness

Wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are modulated by complex interactions between multiple neurotransmitters and neuromodulators acting in many different brain areas. This article selectively highlights progress in understanding the role of selected neurotransmitters regulating states of sleep and wakefulness.
Robust response surfaces, regression, and positive data analyses

To resolve issues related to the limitations imposed by response surface methodology, it is prudent to add the robustness. This valuable book with the title ‘Robust Response Surfaces, Regression, a...
Patterns of care and outcomes with the addition of radiotherapy to surgery for stage I rectal adenocarcinoma.

831Background: The standard of care for stage I (T1/2N0M0) rectal adenocarcinoma is surgery alone. We investigated practice patterns and outcomes associated with administration of radiotherapy (RT)...
Schooling during the Great Recession: Patterns of School Spending and Student Achievement Using Population Data.

The Great Recession was the most severe economic downturn in the United States since the Great Depression. Using data from the Stanford Education Data Archive (SEDA), we describe the patterns of ma...
Using Learning Games to Teach Texas Civil War History to Public Middle School Students

The War of the Rebellion is an educational video game designed to teach about the Battles of Galveston to 8th grade public middle schoolers in Texas. This game was compared to a textual information packet about the battles (designed to simulate traditional textbook learning) in its ability to increase learning gain and interest in the students. It was found that, while the performance on the posttest by the game participants did not show an overall increase compared to those that read the text packet, the question most closely tied to the gameplay showed a learning gain. Additionally, the students reported greater interest in learning about history and about the Civil War, and were more likely to want to share the learning tool with a friend compared to those that read the text packet. This indicates that a game developed in close collaboration with the educator that whose gameplay emphasizes important learning items can be an effective educational tool for students.
An LC–MS/MS method for determination of O6‐benzylguanine and its metabolite O6‐benzyl‐8‐oxoguanine in human plasma

O6 -benzylguanine (O6 BG) is an inhibitor of O6 -alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT). It binds to AGT by transferring its benzyl moiety to the cysteine residue at the active site of the enzyme. O6 BG synergizes the cytotoxic effects of alkylating agents by halting AGT-mediated DNA repair. O6 -benzyl-8-oxoguanine (8-oxo-O6 BG) is a metabolite of O6 BG, which is an equally potent inhibitor of AGT. In this work, we report the development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of O6 BG and 8-oxo-O6 BG in human plasma. O6 BG and 8-oxo-O6 BG along with the analog internal standard, pCl-O6 BG, were extracted from alkalinized human plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate, dried under nitrogen and reconstituted in the mobile phase. Reverse-phase chromatographic separation was achieved using isocratic elution with a mobile phase containing 80% acetonitrile and 0.05% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.600 ml/min. Quantification was performed using multiple-reaction-monitoring mode with positive ion-spray ionization. The linear calibration ranges of the method for O6 BG and 8-oxo-O6 BG were 1.25-250 ng/ml and 5.00-1.00 × 103 ng/ml, respectively, with acceptable assay accuracy, precision, recovery and matrix factor. This method was applied to the measurement of O6 BG and 8-oxo-O6 BG in patient plasma samples from a prior phase I clinical trial.
Distal Nerve Transfer for Thenar Palsy: A Cadaveric Study

Introduction Severe proximal median nerve palsies often result in irreversible thenar atrophy and thumb abduction function loss. Tendon transfer involves substantial limitations and challenges; but, distal nerve transfer may provide an alternative treatment. Our goal was to validate the anatomical suitability of two distal ulnar nerve branches for thenar muscle reanimation. Materials and methods We assessed nerve transfer to the recurrent branch of median nerve (RMN) in 16 embalmed cadaveric hands. The ulnar motor branch to the flexor digiti minimi brevis (FDMBn) and the ulnar motor branch to the third lumbrical (3rdLn) were assessed for transfer. Coaptation success was measured by the overlap of the nerve donor with the RMN and correspondence of nerve diameters. Results The mean transferable length and width of the RMN were 20.7 ± 4.5 and 1.0 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. We identified an average of three branches in the branching anatomy from the ulnar nerve to the hypothenar muscles. The maximal transferable lengths and widths of the FDMBn and the 3rdLn were 13.8 ± 4.4 and 0.5 ± 0.1 mm and 24.1 ± 6.4 and 0.4 ± 0.1 mm, respectively. The overlap with the RMN of the FDMBn and 3rdLn was 9.0 ± 3.6 (2.0-15.3) and 17.8 ± 6.0 (4.7-27.5) mm, respectively. Conclusions This anatomical study demonstrates the feasibility of distal nerve transfers between the ulnar and median nerves in the hand for reanimation of thenar muscles. Ulnar motor donors of the BrFDMBn and 3rdLn likely represent the least morbid donors with short distances for regeneration and a single coaptation repair.
Outcomes in Hispanics With COVID-19 Are Similar to Those of Caucasian Patients in Suburban New York.

Background Despite reported higher rates and worse outcomes due to COVID-19 in certain racial and ethnic groups, much remains unknown. We explored the association between Hispanic ethnicity and outcomes in COVID-19 patients in Long Island, New York. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2,039 Hispanic and non-Hispanic Caucasian patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 7 and May 23, 2020, at a large suburban academic tertiary care hospital near New York City. We explored the association of ethnicity with need for intensive care unit (ICU), invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and mortality. Results Of all patients, 1,079 (53%) were non-Hispanic Caucasians and 960 (47%) were Hispanic. Hispanic patients presented in higher numbers than expected for our catchment area. Compared with Caucasians, Hispanics were younger (45 years vs. 59 years), had fewer comorbidities (66% with no comorbidities vs. 40%), were less likely to have commercial insurance (35% vs. 59%), or were less likely to come from a nursing home (2% vs. 10%). In univariate comparisons, Hispanics were less likely to be admitted (37% vs. 59%) or to die (3% vs. 10%). Age, shortness of breath, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), hypoxemia, and presentation from nursing homes were associated with admission. Male sex and hypoxemia were associated with ICU admission. Male sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypoxemia were associated with IMV. Male sex, CHF, CAD, and hypoxemia were associated with mortality. After other factors were adjusted for, Hispanics were less likely to be admitted (odds ratio = 0.62, 95% confidence interval = 0.52 to 0.92) but Hispanic ethnicity was not associated with ICU admission, IMV, or mortality. Conclusions Hispanics presented at higher rates than average for our population but outcomes among Hispanic patients with COVID-19 were similar to those of Caucasian patients.
Mental Toughness Scale for Pakistani University Students: A Validation Study

The current mental toughness is multidimensional construct that help the individual to show persistent strength and preservation during the high competitive situations. The university life is the most vulnerable and pressured time for the university students. The aim of the current study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Mental Toughness Scale (MTS) in university students. A total of 306 participants (151 men and 155 women) with the age range of 18-25 (M = 20.66; SD = 1.36) were administered the Mental Toughness Scale, the Resilience Scale and the Student Problem Checklist. The results of the Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analysis yielded a three factor solution Sense of Personal Competence, Problem Solving Skills and Social Competence. Further, the MTS was found high internal consistency, reliability, construct and discriminant validity. The results pave the way for application of the Mental Toughness of University students of Pakistan and are discussed in light of cultural implications.
Effects of nutrient restriction on the metabolic profile of Bos indicus-influenced and B. taurus suckled beef cows.

Abstract Recent research from our group demonstrated that Bos indicus-influenced suckled beef cows had greater resilience to withstand nutrient restriction and establish pregnancy compared with B. taurus cows exposed to the same conditions. To further understand these findings, differences in metabolic profile between these same B. indicus-influenced and B. taurus females were explored. Suckled beef cows (n = 134) were enrolled in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. On day − 21, Angus (AN; Bos taurus) and Brangus (BN; B. indicus-influenced) cows were randomly assigned to 1) a diet that met daily energy maintenance requirements (MAINT), or 2) a diet that restricted intake to 70% of the daily energy maintenance requirements (RESTR). Cows were exposed to an estrus synchronization protocol and received an embryo 7 d after ovulation was pharmacologically induced on day 0. Blood samples were collected on days − 21 and 19 to determine circulating concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), insulin, glucose, and IGF-1. Pregnancy status after embryo transfer was determined on day 28. As a consequence of the proposed diets, cows in the RESTR diet had less body condition score (BCS) on day 19 (P = 0.008) across breed types. Moreover, BCS change from day − 21 to 19 was included as independent covariate into subsequent analyses, allowing for the comparison of breed types under an equivalent level of body reserve mobilization. A breed × diet interaction was observed for plasma insulin (P = 0.03) and IGF-1 (P = 0.04) on day 19, where AN–RESTR cows had less plasma concentrations on day 19 compared with AN–MAINT cows. Diets did not impact (P > 0.10) plasma insulin and IGF-1 concentrations in BN cows. No diet or breed effects were observed in circulating concentrations of NEFA, BHB, and glucose (P > 0.10). Across breed types and nutritional treatment, there was positive linear effect (P ≤ 0.04) of plasma concentrations of insulin and IGF-1 on the probability of pregnancy to fixed-time embryo transfer. In summary, the negative impacts of nutrient restriction on the somatotropic axis, independently of body tissue mobilization, were heightened in Bos taurus females compared with B. indicus-influenced cohorts, which corroborate with the differences observed in fertility between these subspecies.
Are actions better than inactions? Positivity, outcome, and intentionality biases in judgments of action and inaction

Abstract Behavior varies along a continuum of activity, with effortful behaviors characterizing actions and restful states characterizing inactions. Despite the adaptive value of both action and inaction, we propose three biases that, in the absence of other information, increase the probability that people like, and want to pursue, action more than inaction: An action positivity bias, an action outcome bias, and an action intentionality bias. Across four experiments, participants not only evaluated actions more favorably than inactions (Experiment 1–3) but also chose to engage in actions more than inactions (Experiment 4). This action positivity bias was driven by the two interrelated biases of outcome positivity and intentionality (Experiments 1–3), such that actions (versus inactions) were spontaneously thought of as having more positive outcomes and as being more intentional. Moreover, these outcome differences played a stronger role in the action positivity bias than did the intentionality differences (Experiment 3). As balancing action and inaction is important for healthy human functioning, it is important to understand evaluative biases in this domain. All experiments were preregistered, and one involved a nationally representative sample.
The Biblical and Natural Law Foundations for Human Rights Law

Natural law was the historical basis for international human rights. The movement away from natural law and toward legal positivism has undermined human rights. A return to natural law is essential for the advancement of human rights.
Electrophysiological characteristics of atrial tachycardia recurrence: Relevance to catheter ablation strategies in adults with congenital heart disease.

Background Catheter ablation outcomes for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are described, but recurrence mechanisms remain largely unknown. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the electrophysiological characteristics of atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence in ACHD. Methods ACHD atrial tachycardia procedures over a 10-year period were explored for AT or atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. Results At 299 procedures in 250 ACHD (mean age 39 ± 15 years; 130 [52%] male), 464 ATs (360 intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia, 104 focal AT; median 2 [IQR 1–3] ATs per procedure) were targeted. Complete (n = 256 [86%]) or partial (n = 37 [12%]) success was achieved in 98% of procedures. Over a median of 3.0 (IQR 1.4–5.3) years of follow-up, 67 patients (27%) developed AT/AF recurrence after the index procedure. Repeat vs index tachycardias were more often focal AT (26/69 [38%] vs 73/378 [19%]; P Conclusion After catheter ablation in ACHD, repeat ATs were more frequently focal, required isoproterenol administration, or involved intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia within the PVA or atrial septum. Negative factors were partial success, index PVA substrate, and remote history of AF. These data support aggressive pharmacological provocation to eliminate all inducible tachycardias and coexisting PVA substrates at index procedures for ACHD.
Observations on the implementation of telecourses in health education.

(1987). Observations on the Implementation of Telecourses in Health Education. Health Education: Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 14-15.
Duality and the Continuous Graphical Model

Inspired by the Linear Programming based algorithms for discrete MRFs, we show how a corresponding infinite-dimensional dual for continuous-state MRFs can be approximated by a hierarchy of tractable relaxations. This hierarchy of dual programs includes as a special case the methods of Peng et al. [17] and Zach & Kohli [33]. We give approximation bounds for the tightness of our construction, study their relationship to discrete MRFs and give a generic optimization algorithm based on Nesterov’s dual-smoothing method [16].
Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease describes a group of hereditary blood disorders that have a significant impact on the lives of affected individuals. Sickle cell disease is usually chronic and challenging to manage. It requires affected individuals to face a lifetime of ongoing treatment, starting with twice-daily penicillin regimens from six months of age to five years and progressing through ongoing, lifelong treatments into adulthood depending on an individual’s unique situation. Although long-term outcomes are much improved in recent years with the development of the drug hydroxyurea and even stem cell transplant, there is still much information for consumers to untangle. Due to the complexity of treatment options and the complexity of the underlying genetic information, families affected by sickle cell disease need to know where to find reliable information online that can help support understanding and informed decision making.
The challenge of high-performance, deep-submicron design in a turnkey ASIC environment

In this paper, we review the trends and techniques that are shaping high-performance ASIC design in deep-submicron technology. The importance of interconnect in determining performance is breaking the clean division between logical and physical design, while noise analysis is becoming as important as timing analysis in ensuring correct functionality. The growing complexity of rules in precharacterized libraries is making analysis tools that understand transistors more attractive. In addition, new layout techniques allow libraries to be created dynamically, creating the opportunity for truly transistor-level synthesis. Domino logic and pass-transistor circuits promise to find their way into synthesis with increasing performance demands at the high end.
On the Actual Impact of Deterministic Chaos

The notion of (deterministic) chaos is frequently used in an increasing number of scientific (as well as non-scientific) contexts, ranging from mathematics and the physics of dynamical systems to all sorts of complicated time evolutions, e.g., in chemistry, biology, physiology, economy, sociology, and even psychology. Despite (or just because of) these widespread applications, however, there seem to fluctuate around several misunderstandings about the actual impact of deterministic chaos on several problems of philosophical interest, e.g., on matters of prediction and computability, and determinism and the free will. In order to clarify these points a survey of the meaning variance of the concept(s) of deterministic chaos, or the various contexts in which it is applied, is given, and its actual epistemological implications are extracted. In summary, it turns out that the various concepts of deterministic chaos do not constitute a “new science”, or a “revolutionary” change of the “scientific world picture”. Instead, chaos research provides a sort of toolbox of methods which are certainly useful for a more detailed analysis and understanding of such dynamical systems which are, roughly speaking, endowed with the property of exponential sensitivity on initial conditions. Such a property, then, implies merely one, but quantitatively strong type of limitation of long-time computability and predictability, respectively.
Finite element modeling of electromagnetic propagation in composite structures

A finite element Galerkin formulation has been developed to study electromagnetic propagation in complex two-dimensional absorbing ducts. The reflection and transmission at entrance and exit boundaries are determined by coupling the finite element solutions at the entrance and exit to the eigenfunctions of an infinite uniform perfect conducting duct. Example solutions are presented for electromagnetic propagation with absorbing duct walls and propagation through dielectric-metallic matrix materials.