cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Randomized Trials in Cardiovascular Imaging: Where to Next?

A decade ago, cardiovascular imaging was buffeted by a perfect storm of disproportionate growth, unexplained geographic variability, skyrocketing costs, inadequate evidence base, and competition among specialties and modalities. Fortunately, the imaging community and, more broadly, the house of
Abstract 233: Metabolic Trapping Effects of ACS1 for Fatty Acid Uptake and Intracellular Trafficking are Different in Hearts of Males and Females

Disruption of cardiomyocyte lipid metabolism has been observed in the responses to both pathogenic and nutrient stresses in human patients and animal models, with distinct sex differences. This inv...
Improvement in interprofessional student learning and patient outcomes

Abstract Background Traditional health professions training programs are seeking ways to provide experiential clinical interprofessional teamwork needed for providing population care management consistent with the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model. Purpose Interprofessional faculty developed a longitudinal care management program for patients with uncontrolled diabetes, designed to provide interprofessional teamwork learning opportunities and improved patient care delivery. Methods Health professional learners participated in a longitudinal ambulatory outpatient diabetes care management program. In a quasi-experimental design, control and participating learners completed pre and post self-assessments of both teamwork skills and attitude. Control and participating patients completed a patient perception survey. Discussion Teamwork skills, as self-assessed by participating learners, significantly improved. Patient satisfaction scores significantly improved for participating patients; select patients demonstrated better diabetes control, smoking cessation, and lifestyle changes. Conclusions Linking learning and care delivery in an interprofessional longitudinal ambulatory care management program positively impacted patient satisfaction and learner teamwork skills.
A History of the African American Novel

A History of the African American Novel offers an in-depth overview of the development of the novel and its major genres. In the first part of this book, Valerie Babb examines the evolution of the novel from the 1850s to the present, showing how the concept of black identity has transformed along with the art form. The second part of this History explores the prominent genres of African American novels, such as neoslave narratives, detective fiction, and speculative fiction, and considers how each one reflects changing understandings of blackness. This book builds on other literary histories by including early black print culture, African American graphic novels, pulp fiction, and the history of adaptation of black novels to film. By placing novels in conversation with other documents - early black newspapers and magazines, film, and authorial correspondence - A History of the African American Novel brings many voices to the table to broaden interpretations of the novel's development.
Myositis: Prognostic factors in 'pneumo-myositis'.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a major cause of death and disability in patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis. To begin to improve patient outcomes, the clinical, demographic and therapeutic factors associated with poor prognosis for patients with ILD associated with polymyositis or dermatomyositis need to be identified.
Multistable Driven Systems

We are concerned with systems which are spread out in one spatial dimension, and where different spatial portions can be in different states of local stability, separated in space by transition regions. We will largely, but not exclusively, discuss systems where the differing states of local stability are not equally favored, and the transition regions thus have a preferred direction of motion. We will also emphasize questions which go beyond the deterministic kinetics of such systems, and treat fluctuations. We can go on to classify our subject in a few additional ways.
Nonequilibrium Green’s function method: Transport and band tail predictions in transition metal dichalcogenides

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) based 2D materials appear to very promising materials for tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs). [1], [2]. The intrinsic subthreshold slope (SS) of these devices is determined by exponentially decaying band tail states/Urbach tails below conduction and valence band edges which places a lower bound on SS. Though there have been few recent studies on calculating and extracting band tails using simple models and qualitative analysis [3], [4], a rigorous study based on atomistic approach is still lacking.
Featured Article: Strengths-Based, Clinic-Integrated Nonrandomized Pilot Intervention to Promote Type 1 Diabetes Adherence and Well-Being.

Objective Given persistent challenges achieving optimal diabetes outcomes in adolescence, new interventions to support disease self-management and emotional well-being are needed. Approaches that emphasize adolescents' positive behaviors and attitudes ("strengths") are designed to incorporate positive provider communications into clinical encounters to encourage youths' engagement in adherence behaviors and enhance well-being. Methods This pilot study tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a brief, strengths-based behavioral intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Adolescents (age 12-17 years) and parents were recruited, consented, and completed baseline and postintervention questionnaires. There was no randomization to a control group, and all participants received the pilot intervention. At the start of two clinic visits, diabetes care providers followed a semi-structured script to reinforce adolescents' diabetes-related strengths and adherence behaviors. Results Of 116 eligible families, 84 consented and 64 completed baseline (M age = 15.0 ± 1.8 years, 56% female, 69% White, M HbA1c = 8.6 ± 1.6%). Providers reported the intervention usually (95%) took <10 min to deliver. Participants and providers enjoyed the intervention and would like to see it as part of routine clinical care. Pre-post data indicated significant improvements in youth-rated diabetes strengths, adherence, burden, and relationship with provider, parent-reported diabetes burden, and provider-rated relationship with family (p < .05). Objectively measured adherence and glycemic control did not change. Conclusions This brief strengths-based, clinic-integrated intervention was feasible to conduct and stakeholders were satisfied. This intervention holds promise to have a positive impact on adolescents' diabetes adherence, well-being, and provider relationships. Lessons were learned to improve implementation and participant experience for a larger study.
MAY-THURNER SYNDROME AS A CAUSE OF RECURRENT DVT IN A MALE PATIENT

May-Thurner syndrome(MTS) is estimated to be the etiology of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in about 2 to 5 percent of patients. MTS is often unrecognized; however, current estimates are that this condition is three times more common in women than in men and typically presents in the
Local Types of Classical Rings

Motivated by recent results on commutative rings with zero divisors [2, 11], we investigate the difference between the three notions of locally classical, maximally classical, and classical rings. Motivated also by results in [12], we explore these notions when restricted to certain subsets of the prime spectrum of the ring. As an application, we examine the case of locally classical rings of continuous functions, the case of maximally classical and classical rings having already been considered [1, 14].
Graph Laplacian Regularization With Sparse Coding for Image Restoration and Representation

Sparse coding is widely used in image denoising, deblurring, clustering, and classification. However, most existing approaches to sparse coding failed to consider the fact that high dimensional data naturally reside on geometrical structure of the data space. It has been shown that geometric information of the data is important for both inversion and discrimination. In this paper, we proposed a generalized framework for image restoration and representation by combining sparse coding and graph based algorithms. In image denoising and deblurring problems, an image is first decomposed into cartoon layer (piecewise-smooth contents) and texture layer (textures and sharp edges) using morphological component analysis (MCA); then optimal graph Laplacian regularizer (OGLR) algorithm and simultaneous sparse coding with Gaussian scale mixture prior (SSC-GSM) algorithm are applied to cartoon layer and texture layer, respectively; final restored image is generated by aggregating the outcomes from two algorithms. The proposed hybrid image restoration algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art image denoising algorithms, such as BM3D on natural images, measured in PSNR, and performs comparatively in image deblurring. In image clustering and classification problems, we convert our generalized framework into a novel dual graph regularized sparse coding method to transform the nonlinear data space and feature space into linear space, two efficient optimization algorithms are provided for the numerical implementation. The experimental results show that our generalized graph Laplacian and sparse coding framework performs competitively with popular denoising, deblurring, clustering, and classification methods.
Moving Towards Visions of Nonkilling Futures

I have known, admired, and loved Glenn Paige (and his wife Glenda) for more than 40 years. They have both been a huge inspiration for me in many ways. For many years, Glenn was a very active member of the World Futures Studies Federation, of which I am also a member, offering many talks and symposia primarily on leadership at our regional and world conferences. He also introduced discussions about the possibility of a nonkilling world at those conferences. While I had various concerns about his views on leadership, I have always had nothing but instant and continuing 100% support of his views on the possibility of a nonkilling world.
INFLUENCE OF AGE AND DISPERSAL ON REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF CLIFF SWALLOWS (PETROCHELIDON PYRRHONATA)

Abstract We examined age-related reproductive success and the short-term consequences of dispersal by known-aged Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) breeding in Texas from 1975–86. Clutch siz...
Intrusion Detection In IoT Using Artificial Neural Networks On UNSW-15 Dataset

IoT devices are susceptible to numerous cyber-attacks due to its low power, low computational requirements and controlled environment that make it hard to implement authentication and cryptography in IoT devices. In this work we propose artificial neural network based threat detection for IoT to solve the authentication issues. We use supervised learning algorithm to detect the attacks and furthermore controller discards the commands after classifying it as threat. Proposed ANN consist of input, hidden and output layers. Input layer passes the data as signal to hidden layer where these signals are computed with the assigned weights and activation functions are used to transform an input to an output signal. Proposed technique is able to detect attacks effectively and timely decisions are taken to tackle the attacks. Proposed ANN approach achieves an average precision of 84% and less than %8 of average false positive rate in repeated 10-fold cross-validation. This reveals the robustness, precision and accuracy of proposed approach in large and heterogeneous dataset. Approach proposed in this work has the potential to considerably improve the utilization of intrusion detection systems.
Mapping qubit algebras to combinatorial designs

This work considers combinatorial designs in terms of the algebra of quantum spins, providing insights and techniques useful to both. The number 15 that is central to a famous problem of classical design theory, with origins in a recreational puzzle nearly two centuries old, coincidentally equals the number of basic operators of two quantum spins (“qubits”). This affords a 1:1 correspondence that we exploit to use the well-known Pauli spin or Lie–Clifford algebra of those 15 operators to provide specific constructions for that recreational problem. An algorithm is set up that, working with four basic operators conveniently rendered in a two-bit binary, generates solutions to quantum states. They can be mapped into four base colors or various tonal scales, thus leading to visual or acoustic realizations of each design. The Fano plane of finite projective geometry involving seven points and lines of an equilateral triangle, and the tetrahedron (a “three-dimensional simplex” of 15 points) are key objects in this study. They simplify the handling of two-qubit operator algebra and may be useful in wide contexts in the field of quantum information. In particular, the seven-parameter sub-algebra describes also what have been called X-states which, while being a subset of all two-qubit states, still embrace a wide variety of quantum correlations including entanglement and quantum discord. Extension to n qubits and higher-dimensional “qudits” with similar mappings of them to combinatorial designs and finite projective geometries is indicated.
Evaluation of the in vitro activity of WCK 5222 (cefepime/zidebactam) and currently available combination therapies against single- and double-carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae: Expanding the zone of hope.

Abstract Cefepime/zidebactam (WCK 5222), a β-lactam/β-lactam enhancer antibiotic under development, was designed to retain in vitro activity against Enterobacteriaceae that simultaneously produce metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) and serine-β-lactamase (SBL). Currently, aztreonam (ATM) plus ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) or meropenem/vaborbactam (M/V) is an attractive option for coverage of such strains, but clinical laboratories are unequipped to distinguish the more potent regimen to inform treatment decisions. We evaluated Enterobacteriaceae that expressed MBL and ≥1 SBL (N=15) using gradient diffusion strip (GDS) methods to (1) determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of WCK 5222 and (2) compare the in vitro potency of CZA+ATM versus M/V+ATM. All isolates were non-susceptible to ATM, CZA, and M/V and were inhibited by WCK 5222 at cefepime concentrations ≥2 log2 dilutions below the susceptible-dose dependent breakpoint of 8 mg/L (MIC50/90, 1/2 mg/L). Activity of CZA+ATM versus M/V+ATM was compared using the zone of hope (ZOH) product, quantitated by multiplying the length (in mm) of inhibited growth adjacent to each GDS from the point of intersection. The median (interquartile range) ZOH product for CZA+ATM and M/V+ATM was 75.4 (62.8–93.7) and 23.5 (14.1–60.4), respectively (p=0.002). In strains with one carbapenemase (the MBL), the median ZOH products were not statistically different, but in strains with an OXA-type carbapenemase (n=6), the median product for CZA+ATM and M/V+ATM was 78.1 and 20.7, respectively (p=0.004). Thus, CZA+ATM may offer enhanced coverage over M/V+ATM of Enterobacteriaceae co-expressing MBL and SBL. With potent in vitro activity alone, further preclinical in vivo evaluations of WCK 5222 monotherapy are warranted.
Investigating Early Response to Treatment in a Multi-Site Study for Adolescent Bulimia Nervosa.

Background This secondary data analysis seeks to replicate and extend findings that early response to treatment in adolescent bulimia nervosa (BN) predicts outcome, resulting in earlier identification of patients who might need a different treatment approach. Methods Participants were 71 adolescents (M ± SD: 15.69 ± 1.55 years; 93% female; 75% non-Hispanic) with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of BN or partial BN enrolled in a two-site treatment study. Participants were randomized to cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescents (CBT-A), family-based treatment for BN (FBT-BN), or supportive psychotherapy (SPT). The Eating Disorder Examination was administered at baseline, end-of-treatment (EOT), 6-month, and 12-month follow-up. Binge eating and purge symptoms were self-reported at each session. Outcome was defined as abstinence of binge eating and compensatory behaviors (self-induced vomiting, laxative use, diet pills, diuretics, compensatory exercise, fasting) in the 28 days prior to assessment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were utilized to assess the viability of predicting treatment outcomes based on reduction of symptoms within the first 10 sessions of treatment. Results ROC analyses suggest that reduction in purging at session 2 (AUC =.799, p < .001) and binge eating at session 4 (AUC =.750, p < .01) were independently related to abstinence of symptoms at EOT, regardless of treatment type. Symptom reduction later in treatment predicted outcome at follow-up, as change in binge eating at session 8 and purging at session 9 were the strongest predictors of abstinence at 6-month follow-up (AUCs =.726-.763, ps < .01). Change in binge eating, but not purging behaviors, was significantly related to abstinence at 12-month follow-up (AUC =.766, p < .01). Only slight differences emerged based on treatment group, such that reductions in symptoms most predictive of abstinence at EOT occurred one session sooner in FBT-BN than SPT. Conclusion Reductions in binge eating and purge symptoms early in adolescent BN treatment suggest better outcome, regardless of treatment modality. Additional research with larger samples is needed to better understand which treatments, if any, contribute to earlier change in BN symptoms and/or likelihood of improved patient response.
Some Negative and Positive Implications of the TBLE Distortion-Analysis Protocol for Economic-Efficiency Prediction/Post-diction

Section 9.1 criticizes various first-best antitrust-related economic-efficiency-related arguments. Section 9.2 criticizes (1) the standard Law & Economics argument that holding tortfeasors liable in accident and pollution cases will equate the profitability and economic efficiency of all avoidance-move decisions and (2) the conventional first-best analysis of the economic efficiency of shifting from a negligence/contributory-negligence legal regime to a strict-liability/contributory-negligence regime on realistic assumptions about the prevailing legal and social realities. Section 9.3 criticizes the standard argument for the conclusion that too little R&D of all kinds is done from the perspective of economic efficiency, discusses the economic efficiency of various policies that have been proposed to stimulate R&D, and makes some preliminary comments on policies that might be adopted to reduce R&D-related misallocation. Section 9.4 criticizes various first-best-economic-efficiency public-finance-related arguments.
Science/STEM Librarianship in 2020: Opportunities and Insight

The aim of this study is to offer an updated snapshot of current science/STEM opportunities in 2019/2020. The insight provided by the analysis of job announcements and a survey of current science/S...
From wild songs to intangible cultural heritage: the heritagization of Hua’er in China

This study examines the impact of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) system and policies on a grassroots folksong tradition in Northwestern China called hua'er, which was named as an element of Chinese ICH in 2006 and as an element of UNESCO World ICH in 2009. Hua’er is a unique case study in that it was, historically, forbidden and regarded as highly shameful or even taboo to be sung in public due to its explicitly erotic lyrics. The designation of hua’er as an element of ICH thus transformed it from a taboo or “forbidden” song genre, practiced at the margins of rural society, into a respectable element of world and national heritage. Despite that the ICH process at the national level tends to be a top-down project for the construction of national identity, in which the main goal of ICH recognition and protection is to strengthen a clear Chinese identity and a harmonious society, during my field research on hua’er I discovered that singers, scholars and officials have nonetheless used the opportunities afforded by recognition as ICH to negotiate and reimagine the practice of hua’er and its associated identities. In doing so, singers overcome the social stigmas they have faced in the past. Once seen only as “wild songs” sung by unruly individuals, hua’er is now being reconstructed as a romantic courtship song genre of “naive” ethnic minority groups as well as an iconic music genre that represents ethnic solidarity in the Northwestern region.
Comparison of virtual to true unenhanced abdominal computed tomography images acquired using rapid kV-switching dual energy imaging.

Objective To compare “virtual” unenhanced (VUE) computed tomography (CT) images, reconstructed from rapid kVp-switching dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), to “true” unenhanced CT images (TUE), in clinical abdominal imaging. The ability to replace TUE with VUE images would have many clinical and operational advantages. Methods VUE and TUE images of 60 DECT datasets acquired for standard-of-care CT of pancreatic cancer were retrospectively reviewed and compared, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Comparisons included quantitative evaluation of CT numbers (Hounsfield Units, HU) measured in 8 different tissues, and 6 qualitative image characteristics relevant to abdominal imaging, rated by 3 experienced radiologists. The observed quantitative and qualitative VUE and TUE differences were compared against boundaries of clinically relevant equivalent thresholds to assess their equivalency, using modified paired t-tests and Bayesian hierarchical modeling. Results Quantitatively, in tissues containing high concentrations of calcium or iodine, CT numbers measured in VUE images were significantly different from those in TUE images. CT numbers in VUE images were significantly lower than TUE images when calcium was present (e.g. in the spine, 73.1 HU lower, p < 0.0001); and significantly higher when iodine was present (e.g. in renal cortex, 12.9 HU higher, p < 0.0001). Qualitatively, VUE image ratings showed significantly inferior depiction of liver parenchyma compared to TUE images, and significantly more cortico-medullary differentiation in the kidney. Conclusions Significant differences in VUE images compared to TUE images may limit their application and ability to replace TUE images in diagnostic abdominal CT imaging.
“I Know I Have to Work Twice as Hard and Hope that Makes Me Good Enough”: Exploring the Stress and Strain of Black Doctoral Students in Engineering and Computing:

Background/ContextIt is well documented that Black doctoral students in engineering and computing fields experience more stress and strain during doctoral training than their White and Asian peers....
Effect of lameness during early lactation on subsequent fertility and survival of Holstein cows across multiple geographic areas in the US

Due to pain and discomfort associated with lameness, this disorder represents a significant animal-welfare challenge for the dairy industry. In addition, the high incidence of this condition results in substantial economic losses that include treatment and control costs, premature culling, decreased milk yield, and impaired reproductive performance. Although previous studies established an association between lameness and reproduction, large multi-state prospective studies using standardized definitions and procedures can provide new insights on the magnitude of the effects of lameness on fertility of dairy cows. Therefore, our objective was to test the effect of lameness at early stages of lactation on fertility and survival of a large population of Holstein cows in dairies across multiple states.
Retrospective Evaluation of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Use in Horses: 95 Cases (2010-2019).

Abstract This study aimed to describe the clinical use of oral fluoxetine hydrochloride administration in horses using a retrospective medical records analysis and to determine owner perception of efficacy via a standardized questionnaire. The records of ninety-five horses for which fluoxetine had been prescribed by the equine service of a veterinary teaching hospital from November 2010 and February 2019 were identified, and data were collected from the medical records. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain data from owners regarding length of administration, ease of administration, adverse effects, and whether the owner noted improvement in the horse’s behavior. Ninety-five horses received fluoxetine during the study period. Fluoxetine was prescribed to facilitate stall rest in 68 horses (Group A) and for behavior-related problems in 27 horses (Group B). The mean dosage was 0.25 mg/kg (range 0.15–0.54). Forty-seven of the 66 owners (71%) that completed the follow-up questionnaire reported a perceived improvement in the animal’s behavior (29/41 in Group A and 18/25 in Group B). Fifty-eight owners (88%) reported that they felt the medication was easy to administer. When used to facilitate extended stall confinement, fluoxetine appears to be perceived as efficacious by most owners. Although the number of behavioral cases was low, the results indicate that the drug may also be useful for some problem behaviors. Further controlled behavioral studies are needed to investigate the use of fluoxetine for equine behavioral problems.
Characterization of dysregulated glutamine metabolism in human glioma tissue with 1 H NMR

Gliomas are one of the most common types of brain tumors. Given low survival and high treatment resistance rates, particularly for high grade gliomas, there is a need for specific biomarkers that can be used to stratify patients for therapy and monitor treatment response. Recent work has demonstrated that metabolic reprogramming, often mediated by inflammation, can lead to an upregulation of glutamine as an energy source for cancer cells. As a result, glutamine pathways are an emerging pharmacologic target. The goal of this pilot study was to characterize changes in glutamine metabolism and inflammation in human glioma samples and explore the use of glutamine as a potential biomarker. 1H high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were acquired from ex vivo glioma tissue (n = 16, grades II-IV) to quantify metabolite concentrations. Tumor inflammatory markers were quantified using electrochemiluminescence assays. Glutamate, glutathione, lactate, and alanine, as well as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8, increased significantly in samples from grade IV gliomas compared to grades II and III (p ≤ .05). Following dimension reduction of the inflammatory markers using probabilistic principal component analysis, we observed that glutamine, alanine, glutathione, and lactate were positively associated with the first inflammatory marker principal component. Our findings support the hypothesis that glutamine may be a key marker for glioma progression and indicate that inflammation is associated with changes in glutamine metabolism. These results motivate further in vivo investigation of glutamine as a biomarker for tumor progression and treatment response.
Cross-linguistic influence in L1 processing of morphosyntactic variation: Evidence from L2 learners

The current study investigates cross-linguistic influence of second language (L2) learning on native language (L1) processing of morphosyntactic variation in proficient L2 learners immersed in their L1. Despite Spanish pre- and postverbal clitic pronoun positions being grammatical in complex verb phrases, preferences of use have been well attested in naturalistic language production. To examine whether those preferences obtain for comprehension in monolinguals, as well as how those preferences might be modulated by learning an L2 with fixed pronoun positions, we administered a self-paced reading experiment to 20 Spanish monolinguals as well as 22 proficient learners English (L1 Spanish). The results of a Bayesian mixed effects regression analysis suggest that preferences in production are echoed in comprehension—but only for the monolingual group. We find support for facilitation in the bilingual group precisely where both languages overlap, as well as evidence that bilinguals may not use clitic position as a reliable cue at all. We interpret the results as evidence that learning an L2 that lacks variation for a particular feature may lead to reduced sensitivity to that feature as a cue in an analogous L1 structure. We situate these results in an experience-based, shared-syntax account of language processing.
Adherence to a Balanced Approach to Massive Transfusion in Combat Casualties.

Background Hemorrhage is the most common cause of potentially preventable death on the battlefield. Balanced resuscitation with plasma, platelets, and packed red blood cells (PRBCs) in a 1:1:1 ratio, if whole blood (WB) is not available, is associated with optimal outcomes among patients with hemorrhage. We describe the use of balanced resuscitation among combat casualties undergoing massive transfusion. Materials and methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DODTR) spanning encounters from January 1, 2007, to March 17, 2020. We included all casualties who received at least 10 units of either PRBCs or WB. We categorized casualties as recipients of plasma-balanced resuscitation if the ratio of plasma to PRBC units was 0.8 or greater; similarly, we defined platelet-balanced resuscitation as a ratio of platelets to PRBC units of 0.8 or greater. We portrayed these populations using descriptive statistics and compared characteristics between non-balanced and balanced resuscitation recipients for both plasma and platelets. Results We identified 28,950 encounters in the DODTR with documentation of prehospital activity. Massive transfusions occurred for 2,414 (8.3%) casualties, among whom 1,593 (66.0%) received a plasma-balanced resuscitation and 1,248 (51.7%) received a platelet-balanced resuscitation. During the study period, 962 (39.8%) of these patients received a fully balanced resuscitation with regard to both the plasma:PRBC and platelet:PRBC ratios. The remaining casualties did not undergo a balanced resuscitation. Conclusions While a majority of massive transfusion recipients received a plasma-balanced and/or platelet-balanced resuscitation, fewer patients received a platelet-balanced resuscitation. These findings suggest that more emphasis in training and supply may be necessary to optimize blood product resuscitation ratios.
Towards Noninvasive Accurate Detection of Intrapartum Fetal Hypoxic Distress

Current intrapartum fetal well-being assessment is performed using electronic fetal monitoring (EFM), technically referred to as cardiotocography (CTG), which transabdominally monitors fetal heart rate (FHR) in relationship to maternal uterine contractions. Sometimes the deceleration in FHR following a uterine contraction can be sign of fetal hypoxic distress, but it may also be a normal physiological response. Multiple studies have shown that EFM has a high false positive rate for detecting fetal hypoxia. This has caused a rise in emergency Cesarean section (C-section) deliveries performed in the US over the years, while the rates of various conditions associated with anoxic brain injury at birth remain unchanged. The underlying problem is that many factors other than hypoxia can cause non-reassuring CTG traces and a more objective measure of oxygen supply to the fetal brain is not conveniently available. We are working to develop a transabdominal fetal pulse oximetry (TFO) system to non-invasively measure fetal arterial blood oxygen saturation (FSpO2) in order to enhance intrapartum fetal monitoring. This paper gives an overview of the past and ongoing work performed to develop TFO, highlights the main engineering and clinical challenges faced and presents preliminary results that demonstrate feasibility of TFO in both pregnant sheep models and human subjects.
Fairness as Equal Concession: Critical Remarks on Fair AI.

Although existing work draws attention to a range of obstacles in realizing fair AI, the field lacks an account that emphasizes how these worries hang together in a systematic way. Furthermore, a review of the fair AI and philosophical literature demonstrates the unsuitability of ‘treat like cases alike’ and other intuitive notions as conceptions of fairness. That review then generates three desiderata for a replacement conception of fairness valuable to AI research: (1) It must provide a meta-theory for understanding tradeoffs, entailing that it must be flexible enough to capture diverse species of objection to decisions. (2) It must not appeal to an impartial perspective (neutral data, objective data, or final arbiter.) (3) It must foreground the way in which judgments of fairness are sensitive to context, i.e., to historical and institutional states of affairs. We argue that a conception of fairness as appropriate concession in the historical iteration of institutional decisions meets these three desiderata. On the basis of this definition, we organize the insights of commentators into a process-structure map of the ethical territory that we hope will bring clarity to computer scientists and ethicists analyzing Fair AI while clearing some ground for further technical and philosophical work.
Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water

Alfalfa sprouts contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella have been implicated in a number of foodborne disease outbreaks in recent years. Seeds are attributed to be the main source of contamination for sprouts. Data from studies on the treatment of E. coli O157:H7 inoculated alfalfa seeds with ozonated and electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water were used to develop models for predicting inactivation of the pathogen. Treatment times of 0 to 16 min were used for ozonated water at initial concentrations of 0 to 21 ppm. For EO water treatments, 0 to 19 amperage (A) data at treatment times of 0 to 32 min were used to develop the models. A modified Monod model for bacterial death kinetics was developed by integrating the rate constant (k) as a Lorentzian function of treatment time (t). Regression constants for the Lorentzian function were determined at various ozone concentrations (ppm) or A. Validation showed that the model was an effective predictor at ozone concentrations below 8 ppm. As a second method, a response surface model (RSM) was utilized for which an RSM regression was performed between observed log10N/No and ppm (ozone) or A (EO water) and treatment time. A quadratic equation involving linear, quadratic, and interaction terms of the influencing parameters represented the model for ozonated and EO water treatments. The models were validated by back predicting log10N/No values. Although numerous other factors influence the accuracy of prediction of the models, these models can be useful tools to researchers and regulators for the development of improved seed sanitizing guidelines by facilitating assessment of efficacy of a treatment and enhancing food safety.
Classification of Encrypted Text and Encrypted Speech

The information to be exchanged between two parties can be text data or speech data. This data is encrypted for its security and communicated (to the other end). When an adversary intercepts these encrypted data then in order to recover the actual information, his first step is to identify whether intercepted data is encrypted text or encrypted speech are used. The next step is to get the actual information from encrypted text or encrypted speech. In this paper, pattern recognition techniques are applied for identification of encrypted text and encrypted speech. Some new and modified feature extraction techniques have been used to convert the text and speech data into three-dimensional, four-dimensional, and five-dimensional measurement vectors. These multi-dimensional measurement vectors are converted into two-dimensional vectors using projection pursuit technique based on Sammon.s algorithm and Chien.s algorithm. The quantified classification performances using minimum distance classifier and maximum likelihood classifier have also been given. Defence Science Journal, 2010, 60(4), pp.420-422 , DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.60.497
The Last Uncomfortable "Religious" Question? Monotheistic Exclusivism and Textual Superiority in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as Sources of Hate and Genocide

This paper is a preliminary examination of some of the texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam–Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Qur’an–that appear to affirm such exclusivism, and, at the same time, a reflection upon the meanings and implications of those texts coterminous with their historical realities.
The Effect of Communication Frequency and Channel Richness on the Convergence Between Chief Executive and Chief Information Officers

Convergence (i.e., mutual understanding) between an organization's CEO and CIO is critical to its efforts to successfully exploit information technology. Communication theory predicts that greater communication frequency and channel richness lead to more such convergence. A postal survey of 202 pairs of CEOs and CIOs investigated the effect of communication frequency and channel richness on CEO/ CIO convergence, as well as the effect of convergence on the financial contribution of information systems (IS) to the organization. Convergence was operationalized in terms of the current and future roles of information technology (IT) as defined by the strategic grid. Rigorous validation confirmed the current role as composed of one factor and the future role as composed of three factors (i.e., managerial support, differentiation, and enhancement). More frequent communication predicted convergence about the current role, differentiation future role, and enhancement future role. The use of richer channels predicted convergence about the differentiation future role. Convergence about the current role predicted IS financial contribution. From a research perspective, the study extended theory about communication frequency, media richness, convergence, and the role of IT in organizations. From a managerial perspective, it provided direction for CEOs and CIOs interested in increasing their mutual understanding of the role of IT.
A Skorokhod Problem formulation and large deviation analysis of a processor sharing model

Generalized processor sharing has been proposed as a policy for distributing processing in a fair manner between different data classes in high-speed networks. In this paper we show how recent results on the Skorokhod Problem can be used to construct and analyze the mapping that takes the input processes into the buffer content. More precisely, we show how to represent the map in terms of a Skorokhod Problem, and from this infer that the mapping is well defined (existence and uniqueness) and well behaved (Lipschitz continuity). As an elementary application we present some large deviation estimates for a many data source model.
Learning from AI: New Trends in Database Technology

Database management systems evolved in response to the need for efficient maintenance of increasingly large amounts of data. The relatively slow speed of secondary storage devices holding the data is one of the main limitations of database design. Hence, the internal organization of databases has been the primary focus of research in the past. Another major influence on database research was the need to share information among a variety of users. In such an environment, strict rules governing the manipulation of data had to be imposed to preserve the integrity of the database and to guarantee privacy for each user. These needs led to the development of several basic data models. With the steadily increasing demand for user-oriented systems, however, new trends in database technology have evolved outside of the scope of the traditional data models. In this article the authors are concerned with two closely related efforts: (1) The incorporation of more semantic modeling capabilities into database models. (2) The development of better user environments, which include user-friendly interfaces and support different user views of the content and organization of the data.
Causal Query Elaboration in Conversational Case-Based Reasoning

A key research focus for conversational case-based reasoning (CCBR) is incremental query elaboration, which is the process of maximizing the extraction of relevant problem state information throughout the querying process. Several companies and researchers have addressed this problem (e.g., by dynamically applying domain-specific plans (Carrick et al., 1999)). Recently, Gupta (2001) demonstrated how CCBR can be significantly enhanced through the judicious use of (1) taxonomies to represent domain information and (2) a control algorithm for focusing case retrieval. However, in that original conception, the individual taxonomies were isolated from each other, and from other information sources that could support query elaboration. This prevents information from being propagated to these taxonomies, and could inflate the length of the user’s problem-solving session. In this paper, we outline and exemplify a causal query elaboration method for inter-taxonomy communication and highlight its potential benefits, which include shorter (and potentially more accurate) conversations, support for causal inferencing, and more concise case representations.
The constitutional type of female precocious puberty with a report of 9 cases

Abstract While tumors of certain endocrine glands and various cerebral lesions have been reported often as causes of precocious puberty in the female, there has been little discussion in the literature concerning the constitutional type of this syndrome, probably more frequent than any other. In cases of this sort no tumor or lesion is demonstrable, nor does it manifest itself in the later course of the patient. The clinical characters of the abnormally early puberty are identical with those of normal puberty, except for the age at which they appear. Nine cases of this sort are reported in this paper, the ages of the patient being 15 months, 2, 2 years 8 months, 4, 4½, 6½, 7 (2 cases) and 7½. As to why an otherwise normal puberal mechanism is awakened at an abnormally early age, no explanation seems plausible except on a chromosomal or genic basis, as is discussed in the paper, so that the designation of “constitutional” seems appropriate for this group. Certainly cases of this type are far more common than those due to granulosa cell tumors, which gynecologists especially are apt to think of first in association with precocious puberty, often resorting to exploratory laparotomy in such cases. There can be no criticism on this point if there is a suspicious enlargement of the ovary. In the absence of any enlargement it is wiser to refrain from operation, though the patient should be re-examined at periodic intervals. This study, particularly the microscopic examination of biopsies of the ovaries in several cases, has convinced me that, unlike the granulosa cell tumor cases, those of constitutional type may not only menstruate but also ovulate at abnormally early ages. This would explain the occurrence of pregnancy at extremely early ages, as in the remarkable case reported from Lima, Peru, in 1940, of a full-term pregnancy in a child 5 years and 8 months old. The most important practical points in the management of these cases are (1) the psychological management, to avoid the development in the child's mind of self-consciousness or a sense of inferiority or abnormality; (2) protection against the possibility of insemination.
Absence of ribosomal DNA amplification in a meroistic polytrophic ovary.

Abstract The relative proportion of the genome coding for rRNA was determined in somatic and gametogenic tissues of the silkworm moth Bombyx mori . The nuclei of nurse cells, which account for more than 90% of the ovarian DNA, are highly polyploid, each containing hundreds of nucleoli. RNA-DNA hybridization analysis indicates that approx. 0.025–0.03% of the DNA from male and female gametogenic tissues and from somatic tissues hybridizes with Xenopus laevis rRNA. The fact that DNA hybridizing with rRNA comprises approximately the same proportion of the total DNA extracted from ovarioles, testis, and somatic tissues indicates that rDNA is not amplified in the nurse cells of B. mori . Polyploidization of the entire nurse cell genome rather than amplification of a small part of it accounts for increasing the amount of rDNA in the ovary.
Glycoprotein CD98 as a receptor for colitis-targeted delivery of nanoparticle

Treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease have been constrained by limited therapeutic efficacy and serious adverse effects owing to a lack of receptor for targeted drug delivery to the inflamed colon. Upon inflammation, CD98 expression is highly elevated in colonic epithelial cells and infiltrating immune cells. To investigate whether CD98 can be used as a colitis-targeted delivery receptor, we constructed CD98 Fab'-bearing quantum dots (QDs)-loaded nanoparticles (Fab'-NPs). The resultant Fab'-NPs had desired particle size (~458 nm) with a narrow size distribution and zeta-potential (approximately +19 mV), low cytotoxicity, and excellent fluorescence properties. Electron microscopy images provided direct evidence for the well-dispersed distribution of QDs within spherical Fab'-NPs. Cellular uptake experiments demonstrated that Fab'-NPs were efficiently internalized into Colon-26 and RAW 264.7 cells through the CD98-mediated endocytosis pathway, and showed that the targeting effect of CD98 Fab' markedly increased their cellular uptake efficiency compared with control pegylated QDs-loaded NPs (PEG-NPs). Furthermore, ex vivo studies showed much more effective accumulation of Fab'-NPs in colitis tissue than that of PEG-NPs. These findings suggest that because of inflammation-dependent over-expression of CD98, active colitis-targeted delivery can be accomplished using NPs decorated with CD98 antibody.
Facilitating space-time differences, group heterogeneity and multi-sensory task work through a multimedia supported group decision system

Abstract Group work outside of the decision laboratory exhibits several interesting characteristics. Communication is frequently off-line, particularly if individuals are geographically separated. Group members have different backgrounds (e.g., in focus groups, mixed customer and company groups) and do not necessarily share the same information or values. Tasks can have significant visual and auditory components, as for instance in product development. While these characteristics are by no means exclusive, they represent important factors which now can be addressed by multimedia supported group decision systems. The article discusses these and related aspects of group decision making and explains design alternatives to handle them. Proposed technology solutions include a multimedia group communication and e-mail facility, a visualization tool (“virtual tour guide”), a multimedia directory, and a problem structuring tool. The software tools have been recently developed. Some initial experiences with the technology are also presented.