cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arabidopsis thaliana (L.): In Vitro Production of Haploids

Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. is a small crucifer which grows wild in both the eastern and western hemispheres. While this plant has not been used for commercial purposes, it is well studied genetically. This is so because it possesses a very short generation time, and large populations of the species can be grown in confined areas. The biology (Napp-Zinn 1969; Kranz 1976) and genetics (Redei 1975) of A. thaliana have been reviewed. Tissue culture techniques of A. thaliana including callus culture (Yokayama and Jones 1965; Ziebur 1965; Negrutiu et al. 1978 a), suspension culture (Negrutiu et al. 1975; Lazar 1976), and shoot and root regeneration (Corcos et al. 1973; Feldmann and Marks 1986) have been well enough established to allow reliable in vitro manipulation of the species (Negrutiu et al. 1975; Negrutiu and Jacobs 1977).
Louisiana Colonial Slave Law - Revolution, Property and Race

Using the slavery experience of colonial Louisiana, this article argues that sentiment, revealed as political ideology, operated in a parallel dimension with the market, isolated from interaction with the economic dimensions, so that there would be no disruption in either. The law served to insulate both in their separate spheres - honoring both ideological and economic concerns. This article thus recommends a slightly different conclusion than Tushnet and a far different conclusion than Cover - that in the face of political ideology that was prime for emancipation of slaves and an economy that was not yet firmly entrenched as agriculturally dependent, that the law reconciled both the economy and ideology by altering the defining characteristics of humanity, making them personal, valueless and white. Conversely, the slave was exactly the opposite - without legal personality, value rich, and non-white. In this sense, white planters were able in good conscience to continue rhetoric that claimed all men are created free and equal, while driving humans under forced labor conditions. The article begins by describing the political and ideological landscape of colonial Louisiana. Turning to the law, the article considers two ways that the law changes the identity of slaves - first as economic units, and second as non-white persons. Indeed, the observation that slaves were black may be too obvious to state; but towards the end of the eighteenth century, the non-white status of slaves became a determinative social and legal factor in the colony. The article concludes hypothesizing that one of law's most salient features is to remove personal conscience from legal decision making.
Multi-word verbs in student academic presentations

Abstract The study examined three categories of multi-word verbs (phrasal, prepositional, and phrasal-prepositional verbs) in comparison to free combinations. It explored four aspects of their usage in student presentations—their frequency, the preferred order and meanings the presenters favored, their choices of unique vs. repeated uses of verb combinations, and the relationship between the lexical diversity of the presentations and students' use of multi-word verbs. The research is based on the individual presentations of English native-speaking college students (n = 30). The analysis revealed that students used multi-word verbs as frequently as they did free combinations. It also showed that prepositional verbs were twice more prominent than phrasal verbs, followed by the relatively infrequent use of phrasal prepositional verbs. The students tended to use the multi-word verb structures repetitively and the lack of strong correlations between the lexical diversity of the presentations and the three multi-word verb subcategories pointed to the relative independence of the variables. The semantic analysis of the phrasal verbs revealed that, even though the majority of them had multiple meanings, they were predominantly used with a single meaning in the presentations. The findings have implications for ESL teaching and material design purposes.
Precision measurement of the proton and helium flux in primary cosmic rays with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

The precise measurements of the proton and helium flux in primary cosmic rays based on on data collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer during the first 30 months of operation (May 19, 2012 to November 26, 2013) onboard the International Space Station are presented. Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the proton and helium flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays in our galaxy. The high statistics of the measurements (300 mio. protons, 50 mio. helium) allow to study the detailed variations with rigidity of the fluxes spectral index. The spectral index of both the proton and the helium flux progressively hardens at rigidities larger than 100 GV. The rigidity dependence of the helium flux spectral index is similar to that of the proton spectral index though the magnitudes are different. Remark- ably, the spectral index of the proton to helium flux ratio increases with rigidity up to 45 GV and then becomes constant; the flux ratio above 45 GV is well described by a single power law.
An examination of team development on computer-mediated decision processes

This paper focuses on the effect of group dynamics on group effectiveness within the group support system (GSS) environment This study differentiates team-based GSS participants from non-team GSS participants and examines the influence of team dynamics within the GSS. Team-building exercises were used to differentiate “teams” from random group participation. The results indicate that team members exhibited a higher degree of agreement and willingness to change as a result of interaction than did the randomly assembled groups. Finally, the results indicate that the GSS environment and process may be enhanced through team building activities prior to the GSS session.
Therapeutic Dilemma of Chemotherapy Dosing in Morbidly Obese Patient with AML: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Obesity is a common and increasing problem affecting the developed world. There is no consensus on a standard approach to chemotherapy dosing has been adopted in obese patients. We present a 25 year old white male with worsening fatigue, dyspnea and recurrent cellulites. Physical examination was significant for morbid obesity of 616 lb (BMI 86.4 and BSA 3.43m 2 ). Initial laboratory values were WBC 0.870/ml (3400–9200/ml), Hb 6.5g/dL (11.5–15.4g/dl), platelet count of 35,000/mm 3 (130000–400000/mm 3 ), MCV 91 mm 3 (80–100mm 3 ). Basic metabolic and coagulation panel was normal except elevated D-dimer and LDH. Peripheral smear consistent with hypochromic normocytic RBC, occasional schistocytes, premature myeloid cells, myeloid blasts 26% with granularity of cytoplasm and a few Auer rods were evident. Bone marrow biopsy was consistent with acute myeloid leukemia. Flowcytometry was positive for CD33, CD 38 and myeloperoxidase. Lymphoid antigens were negative. Cytogenetic analysis revealed normal karyotype and negative for t (15; 17). Patient was treated with standard induction regimen with cytarabine 243mg (100mg/m 2 ) and daunorubicin 109mg (45mg/m 2 ). Chemotherapy dosing was done according to the adjusted body weight (BSA 2.43 m 2 ). Day 14 bone marrow was consistent with significant disease. Reinduction with high dose cytarabine 14000mg (3000mg/m 2 ) had no response. Patient was then received gemtuzumab ozagomycin 22mg (9mg/m 2 ) on day 1 and 14. Bone marrow analysis 30 days after the treatment was consistent with remission. Interestingly patient developed little adverse effect from the initial induction chemotherapy. Hospital course was complicated with Clostridium difficile colitis and neutropenic fever which was treated with antibiotics and voricanazole. Voricanazole dosing was done according to the actual body weight (1000mg IV twice daily). The peak and trough levels were within normal range. Failed response to initial induction treatment could be due to refractory disease or inadequate dosing of chemotherapy in this patient. BSA has been used to calculate the dose in anticancer therapy since 1950s. Experimental studies have demonstrated BSA based dosing failed to standardize the variation in pharmacokinetics of cytotoxic drugs. In obese cancer patients, the pharmacokinetics of the drug demonstrated a prolonged elimination time for several agents. Risk of both under dosing and overdosing can have detrimental affect outcome in obese patients. Prospective studies of chemotherapy pharmacokinetics are needed to address the issue of optimal chemotherapy dosing in obese population.
Strategyproof approximations of distance rationalizable voting rules

This paper considers randomized strategyproof approximations to distance rationalizable voting rules. It is shown that the Random Dictator voting rule (return the top choice of a random voter) nontrivially approximates a large class of distances with respect to unanimity. Any randomized voting rule that deviates too greatly from the Random Dictator voting rule is shown to obtain a trivial approximation (i.e., equivalent to ignoring the voters' votes and selecting an alternative uniformly at random).The outlook for consensus classes, other than unanimity is bleaker. This paper shows that for a large number of distance rationalizations, with respect to the majority and Condorcet consensus classes that no strategyproof randomized rule can asymptotically outperform uniform random selection of an alternative. This paper also shows that veto cannot be approximated nontrivially when approximations are measured with respect to minimizing the number of vetoes an alternative receives.
Early outcomes after intrathecal baclofen therapy in ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVEMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes demyelination and axonal loss. Walking difficulties are a common and debilitating symptom of MS; they are usually caused by spastic paresis of the lower extremities. Although intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy has been reported to be an effective treatment for spasticity in MS, there is limited published evidence regarding its effects on ambulation. The goal of this study was to characterize ITB therapy outcomes in ambulatory patients with MS.METHODSData from 47 ambulatory patients with MS who received ITB therapy were analyzed retrospectively. Outcome measures included Modified Ashworth Scale, Spasm Frequency Scale, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and the Timed 25-Foot Walk. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to test for changes in outcome measures between baseline and posttreatment (6 months and 1 year). Significance was set at p < 0.05. Descriptive data are expressed as the mean ± SD, and results of the repeated-measures ANOVA tests ...
CHOROIDAL TUMOR BIOPSY: A Review of the Current State and a Glance Into Future Techniques.

Purpose:To review the indications for and the methods of obtaining biopsies in eyes with uveal melanoma. In addition, this review provides recommendations for avoiding biopsy-related complications and discusses the future directions of biopsy techniques for uveal melanoma.Methods:This review is base
Religion, Cognition, and the Myth of Conscious Will

Characteristic of the recent cognitive approach to religion ( CSR ) is the thesis that religious discourse and practice are rooted in an inveterate human propensity to explain events in terms of agent causality. This thesis readily lends itself to the critical understanding of religious belief as “our intuitive psychology run amok.” This effective restriction of the scientific critique of agent causality to notions of supernatural agency appears arbitrary, however, in light of evidence from cognitive and social psychology that our sense of human agency, including our own, is interpretive in nature. In this paper I argue that a cognitive approach to religion that extends the critique of agent causality to the folk psychological experience of conscious will is able to shed light on several characteristically religious phenomena, such as spirit possession, ritual action, and spontaneous action in Zen Buddhism.
Targeting Epigenetic Aberrations in Pancreatic Cancer, a New Path to Improve Patient Outcomes?

Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest mortality rates among all types of cancers. The disease is highly aggressive and typically diagnosed in late stage making it difficult to treat. Currently, the vast majority of therapeutic regimens have only modest curative effects, and most of them are in the surgical/neo-adjuvant setting. There is a great need for new and more effective treatment strategies in common clinical practice. Previously, pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer was attributed solely to genetic mutations; however, recent advancements in the field have demonstrated that aberrant activation of epigenetic pathways contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of the disease. The identification of these aberrant activated epigenetic pathways has revealed enticing targets for the use of epigenetic inhibitors to mitigate the phenotypic changes driven by these cascades. These pathways have been found to be responsible for overactivation of growth signaling pathways and silencing of tumor suppressors and other cell cycle checkpoints. Furthermore, new miRNA signatures have been uncovered in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, further widening the window for therapeutic opportunity. There has been success in preclinical settings using both epigenetic inhibitors as well as miRNAs to slow disease progression and eliminate diseased tissues. In addition to their utility as anti-proliferative agents, the pharmacological inhibitors that target epigenetic regulators (referred to here as readers, writers, and erasers for their ability to recognize, deposit, and remove post-translational modifications) have the potential to reconfigure the epigenetic landscape of diseased cells and disrupt the cancerous phenotype. The potential to “reprogram” cancer cells to revert them to a healthy state presents great promise and merits further investigation.
Evolutionary Biology of Aging and Longevity in Mammalian Species

The biomedical sciences have been remarkably successful in dealing with exogenously originating pathologies such as infectious diseases. This success, however, has uncovered a more formidable opponent of health and general well being, the intrinsically originating pathologies. These are the disabling or degenerative diseases, which are generally described as being caused by or related to the aging processes. The vast number of human diseases which have an intrinsic origin is just becoming appreciated, and the studies of these dysfunctions and the methods to be developed for their treatment are predicted to occupy the future efforts of much of the biomedical sciences (Ludwig, 1980).
Parvovirus B19: An emerging pathogen

Before 1975, the only instance in which people were concerned about parvovirus infections was when the family dog was ill. In that year, however, Cossart and his colleagues isolated the parvovirus B 19 in asymptomatic blood donors, thus beginning a new era of discovery for this virus. Subsequently, the B 19 parvovirus has been associated with five clinical entities: (1) erythema infectiosum, (2) adult arthritis, (3) aplastic crisis, (4) chronic anemia in immunodeficient patients, and (5) fetal demise in pregnant females. The parvovirus is a small 20 nm single-stranded DNA virus with a lipid envelope. The human B 19 parvovirus is distinct from other animal parvoviruses, such as canine parvovirus or feline panleukopenia parvovirus, and is species specific. Its main targets for replication are the erythroid precursor cells in the bone marrow, where these progenitors are infected and lysed, thus interrupting red blood cell (RBC) production. Acutely infected individuals demonstrate large numbers of particles in the serum. Transmission is postulated through a respiratory route via the droplet nuclei mechanism, but the virus can also be transmitted through the transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products. The virus is worldwide in its distribution and has no sex predilection during infectivity. During the period of acute infection, IgM antibody to B19 appears a few days after exposure and diminishes after several months. During the lgM decline, IgG antibody develops and persists, providing lifelong immunity after infection. Most parvovirus B 19 infections occur in children older than age 5, and by age 18, 30% to 60% of adults demonstrate B I9 antibodies in their serum. Subclinical infection is a common presentation of the viral process. The incubation period after exposure averages 13 days, with the range being 4 to 6 days. The initial phase of constitutional symptoms (myalgias, pyrexia, headache, malaise) appears 5 to 6 days after exposure and continues 2 to 3 days thereafter. An asymptomatic period lasting 5 to 10 days separates the first phase from the second phase of the illness. The latter stage is 1 to 2 weeks in duration, and is manifested by rash and joint pains. B19 viremia is usually completed by the rash development, and at this time, the individual is not considered infectious. Secondary attack rates following exposure to the virus range from 30% to 60% in the household and 10% to 60% within the classroom for susceptible individuals. Nosocomial exposure to parvovirus B19 results in almost 50% transmission among nonimmune individuals. Secondarily infected people can have a slightly different type of infection, as approximately half report an absence of rash and nearly one quarter are asymptomatic. The diagnosis for B 19 disease is currently based on a high index of suspicion in conjunction with appropriate historical and physical findings. Serologic tests are limited to specific research centers and are not available for routine use. Commercial tests, however, are currently being developed and evaluated for general use. At present, there is no specific treatment for parvovirus B19 infection.
Towards a biomolecular learning machine

Learning and generalisation are fundamental behavioural traits of intelligent life. We present a synthetic biochemical circuit which can exhibit non-trivial learning and generalisation behaviours, which is a first step towards demonstrating that these behaviours may be realised at the molecular level. The aim of our system is to learn positive real-valued weights for a real-valued linear function of positive inputs. Mathematically, this can be viewed as solving a non-negative least-squares regression problem. Our design is based on deoxyribozymes, which are catalytic DNA strands. We present simulation results which demonstrate that the system can converge towards a desired set of weights after a number of training instances are provided.
Sin and Sigmoid Higher Order Neural Networks for Data Simulations and Predictions

New open box and nonlinear model of Sin and Sigmoid Higher Order Neural Network (SS-HONN) is presented in this paper. A new learning algorithm for SS-HONN is also developed from this study. A time series data simulation and analysis system, SS-HONN Simulator, is built based on the SS-HONN models too. Test results show that every error of SS-HONN models are from 2.1767% to 4.3114%, and the average error of Polynomial Higher Order Neural Network (PHONN), Trigonometric Higher Order Neural Network (THONN), and Sigmoid polynomial Higher Order Neural Network (SPHONN) models are from 2.8128 to 4.9076%. It means that SS-HONN models are 0.1131% to 0.6586% better than PHONN, THONN, and SPHONN models.
Cryo-EM structure of the insect olfactory receptor Orco

The olfactory system must recognize and discriminate amongst an enormous variety of chemicals in the environment. To contend with such diversity, insects have evolved a family of odorant-gated ion channels comprised of a highly conserved co-receptor (Orco) and a divergent odorant receptor (OR) that confers chemical specificity. Here, we present the single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of an Orco homomer from the parasitic fig wasp Apocrypta bakeri at 3.5 A resolution, providing structural insight into this receptor family. Orco possesses a novel channel architecture, with four subunits symmetrically arranged around a central pore that diverges into four lateral conduits that open to the cytosol. The Orco tetramer has few inter-subunit interactions within the membrane and is bound together by a small cytoplasmic anchor domain. The minimal sequence conservation among ORs maps largely to the pore and anchor domain, shedding light on how the architecture of this receptor family accommodates its remarkable sequence diversity and facilitates the evolution of odour tuning.
The effect of primary processing parameters on surface roughness in laser powder bed additive manufacturing

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a method to create complex components in a layer-by-layer process. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) provides the ability to fabricate complex designs. Components with internal geometries have surfaces that are difficult to improve through post-processing and have been shown to be detrimental to mechanical performance. This work investigates the relationship between primary processing parameters, and surface roughness of nickel-based superalloy 718 fabricated on a LPBF AM machine. The surface roughness of components built using varied contour processing parameters was characterized using both nondestructive and destructive measurement techniques. Statistical correlations are presented between contour processing parameters and surface roughness height metrics along with general trends in the relationships. Results show that the destructive measurements are required to expose notch-like features that are obstructed by powder particles attached to the surface. However, nondestructive methods more easily provide a statistically significant sample size. Understanding the surface roughness can be used for further process optimization and to inform the qualification strategy for AM components.
Green’s Functions at Finite Temperatures

Experiments are done at finite temperatures. Since one goal of many-body theory is to explain experiments (another is to predict them), we should do our theories at finite temperatures. This is often unnecessary if the temperature is small compared to other energies in the problem. But often temperature is important, and here we shall learn how to incorporate it into Green’s functions. The finite temperature formalism was originated by Matsubara. It will actually be easier to use than the zero temperature theory of Chapter 2, so that we shall use the Matsubara method throughout the remainder of the book. The zero temperature result is always easily obtained from the finite temperature result by just setting T= 0.
Predictors of Tobacco Cessation Among American Indian/Alaska Native Adults Enrolled in a State Quitline.

Background: High rates of smoking are documented among some American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, with potential variability by region and urban/rural settings. Quitlines are a cos...
Commentary: Establishing Scientific Rigor and Excellence in Implementation Science Training to Improve the Deployment of Evidence-Based Mental Health Services.

Real-world challenges continue to impede the dissemination, implementation and sustainment of high-quality, evidence-based practices, resulting in too many individuals not receiving the effective mental health care that they urgently need. The field of implementation science is poised to generate new solutions to address this important public health problem. Training a new generation of researchers in implementation science is one solution. The Implementation Research Institute (IRI) offers one approach to such training. The papers in this series, authored by some of the IRI graduates, illustrate the depth and breadth of the intellectual scope of IRI graduates’ contributions to the implementation science field, chronicles important lessons learned, and underscores the IRI’s training capacity. This commentary reflects upon the series in terms of a framework and themes that relate to core implementation science principles and to future research that corresponds to the National Institute of Mental Health research priorities and strategic plan.
Neuroendocrine biomarkers of prolonged exposure treatment response in military-related PTSD.

Abstract Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with dysregulation of the neuroendocrine system, including cortisol, allopregnanolone, and pregnanolone. Preliminary evidence from animal models suggests that baseline levels of these biomarkers may predict response to PTSD treatment. We report the change in biomarkers over the course of PTSD treatment. Biomarkers were sampled from individuals participating in (1) a randomized controlled trial comparing a web-version of Prolonged Exposure (Web-PE) therapy to in-person Present-Centered Therapy (PCT) and (2) from individuals participating in a nonrandomized effectiveness study testing PE delivered in-person as part of an intensive outpatient PTSD program. We found that higher cortisol reactivity during script-driven imagery was associated with higher baseline PTSD severity and that baseline allopregnanolone, pregnanolone, and cortisol reactivity were associated with degree of symptom change over the course of intensive outpatient treatment. These findings demonstrate that peripherally assessed biomarkers are associated with PTSD severity and likelihood of successful treatment outcome of PE delivered daily over two weeks. These assessments could be used to determine which patients are likely to respond to treatment and which patients require augmentation to increase the likelihood of optimal response to PTSD treatment.
IoT Battery Lifetime Enhancement Using Relays: A Large-Scale Analysis

The exponential growth of the Internet of things (IoT) necessitates long-lasting, low-cost, and sustainable green IoT network designs. In this paper, relay deployment is proposed to increase the battery lifetime of IoT devices in smart homes. Then, the effect of this deployment on the battery lifetime of IoT sensors is analyzed and evaluated in large scales using tools from stochastic geometry. Such analysis is more realistic as it captures real-world spatial correlation of IoT devices and reveals better insights to network design. Further, a closed-form expression of the battery consumption model is presented, and its cumulative density function is derived analytically. Numerical and analytic results match and confirm that relay deployment is a promising opportunity that can extend smart homes' IoT battery lifetime from about one year to several years.
Transforming Rural Family Medicine Curriculum From Experiential to Virtual: A Response to COVID-19 Limitations

Cessation of all classroom and clinical activities in the spring of 2020 for first- and second-year medical students at the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth campus both forced and enabled revision of rural medicine instruction and experiences. Creatively utilizing rural family physicians and third-year rural physician associate medical students to interact with first-year students virtually in a number of areas and using electronic connectivity enabled the institution to continue to emphasize rural medical health issues with the students.
Electronic cigarette vaping triggers lipid mediated vocal fold mucosal injury

Abstract Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are nicotine delivery systems that have been touted as safer alternatives to smoking. A recently reported case of epiglottitis revealed a connection between vaping and swollen laryngeal and vocal fold (VF) structures that can lead to acute life-threatening airway obstruction. The clinical course and biopsy revealed direct epithelial injury and subsequent inflammatory reaction. Here we show that we were able to recapitulate this phenomenon in in vitro conditions. Exposure of engineered VF mucosae to 5% e-cig vapor extract for one week induced cellular damage in VF luminal epithelial cells, disrupting mucosal homeostasis and mucosal innate immune responses. Epithelial erosion was likely caused by the accumulation of solvents and lipid particles, most likely medium chain fatty acids, in the cytosol and intercellular spaces, which altered lipid metabolism and plasma membrane properties. In summary, vaping represents a threat to the VF mucosa health and airway protection.
A multispecies approach to manage effects of land cover and weather on upland game birds.

Loss and degradation of grasslands in the Great Plains region have resulted in major declines in abundance of grassland bird species. To ensure future viability of grassland bird populations, it is crucial to evaluate specific effects of environmental factors among species to determine drivers of population decline and develop effective conservation strategies. We used threshold models to quantify the effects of land cover and weather changes in "lesser prairie-chicken" and "greater prairie-chicken" (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus and T. cupido, respectively), northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), and ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). We demonstrated a novel approach for estimating landscape conditions needed to optimize abundance across multiple species at a variety of spatial scales. Abundance of all four species was highest following wet summers and dry winters. Prairie chicken and ring-necked pheasant abundance was highest following cool winters, while northern bobwhite abundance was highest following warm winters. Greater prairie chicken and northern bobwhite abundance was also highest following cooler summers. Optimal abundance of each species occurred in landscapes that represented a grassland and cropland mosaic, though prairie chicken abundance was optimized in landscapes with more grassland and less edge habitat than northern bobwhites and ring-necked pheasants. Because these effects differed among species, managing for an optimal landscape for multiple species may not be the optimal scenario for any one species.
Attributable Cost of Adult Hospitalized Pneumonia Beyond the Acute Phase

While much is known about the cost of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) during the acute phase of illness, little is known about the potential attributable cost of CAP thereafter. The aim of this study was to assess long-term attributable costs associated with CAP among adults in US clinical practice. A retrospective matched cohort design and data from a US private healthcare claims repository were employed. In each month during the study period (2011–2016), adults who were hospitalized for CAP in that month (‘CAP patients’) were matched (1:1, without replacement) on demographic, clinical, and healthcare profiles to adults who did not develop CAP in that month (‘comparison patients’). All-cause healthcare expenditures were tallied for the qualifying CAP hospitalization and during the 30-day period post-discharge (collectively, ‘acute phase’), as well as from the end of the acute phase to the end of the 3-year follow-up period (‘long-term phase’). The study population included 43,975 matched pairs of CAP patients and comparison patients. Expenditures averaged $33,380 (95% confidence interval [CI] $32,665–$34,161) for the CAP hospitalization and $4568 (95% CI $4385–$4749) during the 30-day period thereafter (vs. $2075 [95% CI $1989–$2167] in total for the comparison patients). During the long-term phase, all-cause expenditures averaged $83,463 (95% CI $81,318–$85,784) for CAP patients versus $51,017 (95% CI $49,553–$52,491) for comparison patients, and thus attributable expenditures during this phase totaled $32,446 (95% CI $29,847–$35,075). The majority of attributable CAP expenditures (53% of $68,319) occurred during the acute phase, while 21%, 14%, and 12% occurred during the first, second, and third years, respectively, after the acute phase. Our findings provide additional evidence that the cost of CAP requiring hospitalization is high, and that the impact of CAP extends well beyond the expected time for resolution of acute inflammatory signs.
Anomalous Magneto-Optical Effects in an Antiferromagnet–Topological-Insulator Heterostructure

We show that large magneto-optic Kerr effects (MOKEs) emerge when an antiferromagnet (AFM) is proximately coupled to a topological insulator (TI) film---where neither the perfect collinear N\'eel ordered single-domain AFM nor the unmagnetized TI individually shows any MOKE. Because of the lack of macroscopic magnetization, the AFM only couples to the spin of one of the TI's surfaces breaking time-reversal and inversion symmetry---which leads to a small microdegree MOKE signal. This small MOKE can be easily enhanced by 5 orders of magnitude, via cavity resonance, by optimizing the AFM and TI film thicknesses on the substrate. For slightly off-resonant structures, a ${6}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ Kerr rotation can be electrically switched on by varying the Fermi energy. This requires less than 20 meV, which is encouraging for low-power spintronics and magneto-optic devices. We further show that this simple structure is easily resilient to 5% material growth error.
Research in food science and food technology: a status report.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a status report on research in food science and food technology. In the past two decades, considerable progress has been made in the knowledge of the chemistry of biologically important tissue constituents and of the metabolic processes which they undergo. The success of team work in this field is well illustrated in the recent elucidation of the composition and structure of limonin. The chapter also discusses developments in methodology. As the introduction of advances in food research, considerable progress has been made in the development of scientific knowledge of the field and in the application of scientific discoveries to the food industries. Improved methods for separating rapidly, selectively, and quantitatively even minute amounts of materials by filter paper chromatography and the development of other methods of separation, such as paper and column electrophoresis, electroosmosis, ion exchange resin chromatography, vapor phase chromatography, etc., have played an important role. Spectrophotometers for measurement absorption in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared regions of the spectrum, emission and flame photometry, molecular fluorescence, and mass spectroscopy have been improved, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been introduced. The physiological, psychological, and genetic factors influencing sensory perception of differences in taste, feel, color, etc. have been investigated. The results of these investigations are basic to better planning of sensory difference tests and to the serious investigation of the consumer acceptance of foods. The investigation of interrelationship between soil, plant, animal, and humans has been emphasized. Some of the important industrial developments made have been emphasized because of trends that they indicate, such as improvement in the quality of fresh and processed meats and fruits, and development of improved puff-dried juice products.
Electronic Watches and Clocks

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the usage of electronic watches and clock. Electronic watches are inherently reliable. They have essentially no or very few moving parts that are subject to wear. The integrated circuit, the heart of an electronic watch, has also profited from the vast development effort in applications: such as aerospace and computers, where high reliability is essential. Electronic watches are versatile. It is easy to include the additional functions: such as automatic calendar, alarm functions, and stop watch functions that could only be realized with great difficulties in mechanical watches. The impact of the electronic concept on the traditional watch industry that has developed the mechanical watch to perfection over a timespan, that has to be measured in centuries, was very profound. Even so, this revolution is far from being completed watch and clock technology has matured substantially, so that this is an appropriate point in time to review the present status of the electronic watch and assess the trend for future developments.
Diaspora bonds for funding education

Diaspora bonds represent a debt instrument issued by a country – or potentially a private corporation – to raise financing from its overseas diaspora. They offer governments a flexible mechanism for raising large scale funding to support national budgets and fill financing gaps in development programs, including provision of quality education. However, there is limited awareness about this financing vehicle. While India and Israel have been at the forefront in issuing diaspora bonds, many other nations also have large diaspora communities in the world and could benefit by issuing such bonds. Given the interest of the global education community in innovative approaches to financing, diaspora bonds could be an important source of funding. The paper proposes a pilot program for funding via diaspora bonds a medical school in a developing country with a large and skilled diaspora abroad.
Global grade selector: a recommender system for supporting the sale of plastic resin

Selecting the appropriate grade of plastic for a customer from the 3000 grades available is an important knowledge intensive job for the General Electric sales force. A case-based reasoning recommender system, called Global Grade Selector, was created to capture, maintain, and constantly learn information about grades and the knowledge that is needed to correctly select them. Global Grade Selector was fielded to the 800 people in the GE Plastics world-wide sales force in July 2002. During the second half of 2002 it was used for 4700 sales opportunities.
Theoretical and Observational Studies of the Central Engines of AGN

In Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) the luminosity is so intense that the effect of radiation pressure on a particle may exceed the gravitational attraction. It was shown that when such luminosities are reached, relatively cold (not completely ionized) thermal matter clouds may form in the central engines of AGN, where most of the luminosity originates. We show that the spectrum of emission from cold clouds embedded in hot relativistic matter is similar to the observed spectrum. We also show that within the hot relativistic matter, cold matter moves faster than the speed of sound or the Alfven speed, and shocks form. The shocks provide a mechanism by which a localized perturbation can propagate throughout the central engine. The shocked matter can emit the observed luminosity, and can explain the flux and spectral variability. It may also provide an efficient mechanism for the outward transfer of angular momentum and provide the outward flow of winds. With observations from X-ray satellites, emission features from the cold and hot matter may be revealed. Our analysis of X-ray data from the Seyfert 1 galaxy MCG - 6-30-15 over five years using detectors on the Ginga and Rosat satellites, revealed some interesting variable features. A source with hot matter emits non-thermal radiation which is Compton reflected from cold matter and then absorbed by warm (partially ionized) absorbing matter in the first model, which can be fit to the data if both the cold and warm absorbers are near the central engine. An alternative model in which the emission from the hot matter is partially covered by very warm matter (in which all elements except Iron are mostly ionized) is also successful. In this model the cold and warm matter may be at distances of up to 100 times the size of the central engine, well within the region where broad optical lines are produced. The flux variability is more naturally explained by the second model. Our results support the existence of cold matter in, or near, the central engine of MCG -6-30-15. Cold matter in the central engine, and evidence of the effects of shocks, is probably forthcoming with future X-ray satellites.
Quantitative Miocene Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy from the Tasmanian Gateway

The Miocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of Ocean Drilling Program Leg 189, Tasmanian Gateway is presented along with analysis of the reliability of several nannofossil markers at this mid-high latitude sites. Many of the Okada and Bukry (1980) zonal boundaries were detected though traditional low-latitude marker species such as Amaurolithus spp., Triquetrorhabdulus spp., and Discoaster spp. were discontinuously present, rarely recorded or absent in the studied sediments. Additional second-order bioevents, such as the first occurrence (FO) of Calcidiscus premacintyrei, the FO of Calcidiscus tropicus, and the paracme of Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilica >7 μm, have been used to increase the resolution of the zonation. Relative abundance fluctuations between Reticulofenestra perplexa and Coccolithus pelagicus indicate similar surface water temperature across the study area from 8-12 Ma. Site 1172 diverges from the pattern after ∼8 Ma in the late Miocene, possibly influenced by the proto-East Australia Current. The last occurrences (LO) of Coccolithus miopelagicus, Cyclicargolithus floridanus, and Calcidiscus premacintyrei were confirmed as diachronous events. The FO of C. tropicus and C. premacintyrei were found to represent reliable bioevents in the Tasman Region. Several lower Miocene calcareous nannofossil species were absent from Sites 1170, 1171 and 1172 but were recorded at Site 1168, indicating that this site was influenced by different paleoceanographic conditions during the early Miocene. Site 1168 also revealed an expanded (LSR = ∼ 5cm/k.y.) early Oligocene/Miocene boundary sequence that provides the opportunity for a high-resolution, multi-proxy analysis of this key interval at mid-latitudes.
Fault tolerant mobility planning for rapidly deployable wireless networks

Rapidly deployable wireless networks consist of mobile base stations and less powerful mobile hosts. The mobile base stations have to maintain wireless connectivity while on the move along pre-defined paths. Physical obstructions and wireless range limitations may prevent a pair of mobile base stations from establishing a wireless link. We study situations of distance-constrained mobility, and fault situations like distance and topology induced mobility deadlocks. We also propose a deadlock avoidance mobility scheme using repeaters, and derive an upper bound on the number of repeaters. We propose two heuristics, using sleeper nodes, for providing coverage to areas that may lose coverage due to a mobile base station crash.
Combining "Vertical" and "Horizontal" Features from Medical Images

Landmark points, when they can be located reliably over a sample of medical images, serve both to generate a feature space of biometric “shape variables” and also to specify an unwarping by which variation of pixel values associated with displacements of the landmarks can be corrected with respect to all landmarks simultaneously. There thus arise two separate spaces of descriptors, the “horizontal” and the “vertical.” Combinations of features from this pair of spaces for prediction or discrimination can be visualized in one or the other space alone by injecting precisely calibrated crosstalk between these channels. This essay analyzes a set of brain images in this way to highlight the effect of schizophrenia upon anatomy in the midsagittal plane.
SIP and mobile IP integration to support seamless mobility

In recent years, we have seen remarkable growth of the Internet and IP-based networks, which currently carry most of the end-user traffic. This traffic is being generated by a wide range of applications, often involving different media types such as audio and video. Another significant development recently has been in the area of mobile computing where wireless networks are frequently being used as extensions to wired Internet. As a result, there is increasing demand to run end-user applications seamlessly over both wired and wireless networks with minimal interruption. We present and discuss the design and implementation of two architectures each of which provides support for terminal and personal mobility. The first architecture combines the session initiation protocol (SIP) with mobile IP and the second architecture exploits a pure SIP-based solution to achieve both personal and terminal mobility. We demonstrate the effectiveness of these architectures using a voice over IP (VoIP) application. Based on our performance results, we found that a pure SIP-based solution yields better performance out of the two architectures implemented and tested.
A fast block low-rank dense solver with applications to finite-element matrices

This article presents a fast solver for the dense "frontal" matrices that arise from the multifrontal sparse elimination process of 3D elliptic PDEs. The solver relies on the fact that these matrices can be efficiently represented as a hierarchically off-diagonal low-rank (HODLR) matrix. To construct the low-rank approximation of the off-diagonal blocks, we propose a new pseudo-skeleton scheme, the boundary distance low-rank approximation, that picks rows and columns based on the location of their corresponding vertices in the sparse matrix graph. We compare this new low-rank approximation method to the adaptive cross approximation (ACA) algorithm and show that it achieves better speedup specially for unstructured meshes. Using the HODLR direct solver as a preconditioner (with a low tolerance) to the GMRES iterative scheme, we can reach machine accuracy much faster than a conventional LU solver. Numerical benchmarks are provided for frontal matrices arising from 3D finite element problems corresponding to a wide range of applications.
Aging: Biology and Behavior

This article reviews several books including “Aging: Biology and Behavior,” edited by James L. McGaugh and Sara B. Kiesler; “Aging: Social Change,” edited by Sara B. Kiesler, James N. Morgan and Valarie Kincaid Oppenheimer and “Aging: Stability and Change in the Family,” edited by Robert W. Fogel, Elaine Hatfield and Ethel Shanes.
Exploiting speech/gesture co-occurrence for improving continuous gesture recognition in weather narration

In order to incorporate naturalness in the design of human computer interfaces (HCI), it is desirable to develop recognition techniques capable of handling continuous natural gesture and speech inputs. Though many different researchers have reported high recognition rates for gesture recognition using hidden Markov models (HMM), the gestures used are mostly pre-defined and are bound with syntactical and grammatical constraints. But natural gestures do not string together in syntactical bindings. Moreover, strict classification of natural gestures is not feasible. We have examined hand gestures made in a very natural domain, that of a weather person narrating in front of a weather map. The gestures made by the weather person are embedded in a narration. This provides us with abundant data from an uncontrolled environment to study the interaction between speech and gesture in the context of a display. We hypothesize that this domain is very similar to that of a natural human-computer interface. We present an HMM architecture for continuous gesture recognition framework and keyword spotting. To explore the relation between gesture and speech, we conducted a statistical co-occurrence analysis of different gestures with a selected set of spoken keywords. We then demonstrate how this co-occurrence analysis can be exploited to improve the performance of continuous gesture recognition.