cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the windows kernel version variability for accurate memory analysis

Memory analysis is an established technique for malware analysis and is increasingly used for incident response. However, in most incident response situations, the responder often has no control over the precise version of the operating system that must be responded to. It is therefore critical to ensure that memory analysis tools are able to work with a wide range of OS kernel versions, as found in the wild. This paper characterizes the properties of different Windows kernel versions and their relevance to memory analysis. By collecting a large number of kernel binaries we characterize how struct offsets change with versions. We find that although struct layout is mostly stable across major and minor kernel versions, kernel global offsets vary greatly with version. We develop a "profile indexing" technique to rapidly detect the exact kernel version present in a memory image. We can therefore directly use known kernel global offsets and do not need to guess those by scanning techniques. We demonstrate that struct offsets can be rapidly deduced from analysis of kernel pool allocations, as well as by automatic disassembly of binary functions. As an example of an undocumented kernel driver, we use the win32k.sys GUI subsystem driver and develop a robust technique for combining both profile constants and reversed struct offsets into accurate profiles, detected using a profile index.
Role of Spectroscopy in Thermonuclear Research

The role of spectroscopy in thermonuclear research is reviewed briefly. The various techniques of observation and interpretation of spectra and some of the limitations are illustrated by appropriate tables and figures. It is shown that the spectroscopist has available a unique, multipurpose, and yet unperturbing probe which can contribute significantly to the interpretation of the pressing problems besetting thermonuclear scientists.
Observer sensitivity to element reliability in a multielement visual display

This study tested whether selected visual display conditions can aid observers in prioritizing information from display elements that differ in reliability. The observer's task was to decide if the information conveyed by an array of nine graphical elements represented a signal or noise input. The value displayed by each element was an independent sample from the signal or noise distribution. The reliability of a display element was manipulated by controlling the variance of these distributions. Observers tended to weight high-reliability sources slightly more than low-reliability sources. The observers' detection performance and weighting efficiency were highest when the reliability of the source was cued by the luminance of the display element. Thus observers can prioritize visual information sources based on statistical properties, such as variability if luminance cues are available during the presentation of the information.
Titanium Vacuum Chamber Liners in the Cornell Electron Synchrotron

A method is described for constructing and installing solid metal liners inside epoxy filled synchrotron magnets.
Radon Exposure Assessment and Dosimetry Applied to Epidemiology and Risk Estimation

Abstract Puskin, J. S. and James, A. C. Radon Exposure Assessment and Dosimetry Applied to Epidemiology and Risk Estimation. Radiat. Res. 166, 193–208 (2006). Epidemiological studies of underground miners provide the primary basis for radon risk estimates for indoor exposures as well as mine exposures. A major source of uncertainty in these risk estimates is the uncertainty in radon progeny exposure estimates for the miners. Often the exposure information is very incomplete, and exposure estimation must rely on interpolations, extrapolations and reconstruction of mining conditions decades before, which might differ markedly from those in more recent times. Many of the measurements that were carried out—commonly for health protection purposes—are not likely to be representative of actual exposures. Early monitoring was often of radon gas rather than of the progeny, so that quantifying exposure requires an estimate of the equilibrium fraction under the conditions existing at the time of the reported measure...
Oral procaine hydrochloride for the relief of cardiospasm: preliminary report.

Summary Two cases of cardiospasm followed over a six month period using oral procaine hydrochloride are reported. The cardiospasm has been relieved by this therapy in these cases and in six others now under observation.
Duration of NMDA-dependent synaptic potentiation in piriform cortex in vivo is increased after epileptiform bursting.

Kapur, A. and L. B. Haberly. Duration of NMDA-dependent synaptic potentiation in piriform cortex in vivo is increased after epileptiform bursting. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 1623–1629, 1998. Stimulation ...
Streptococcal M Protein Epitope 10F5 Generates Antiphospholipid Antibodies

The development of streptococcal pharyngitis may lead to the development of acute rheumatic fever that is characterized by the presence of autoimmune antibodies. These antibodies are often positive for interactions against cardiac myosin as well as the streptococcal M protein. Molecular mimicry between antibodies against group A streptococcus (GAS) and human proteins such as cardiac myosin, tropomyosin, vimentin, and laminin has been confirmed previously. Streptococcal M protein antibody probe mAb10F5 recognizes a 15 amino acid sequence within the C repeat region of the type 6 M protein. This sequence is associated with the majority of acute rheumatic fever outbreaks (Quinn et al, 1998). Injection of this antibody into Lewis rats results in heart manifestations and presence of the antibody within the caudate and putamen of the brain as demonstrated by significant immunofluorescence. When mAb10F5 interactions are analyzed, the antibody is found to directly interact with membrane phospholipids and results in a positive antiphospholipid ELISA test. Here we inject only the 10F5 epitope into rats and examine for the presence of antiphospholipid in the rat serum at 0, 4, 6 and 8 weeks with one booster injection at 4 weeks. Lewis rats injected with the 10F5 epitope contain a significant sample of antiphospholipid antibody within their serum that doubles by two weeks post booster injection as determined by APS ELISA. Our data collectively demonstrates that the 10F5 epitope is responsible for the generation of antiphospholipid antibodies and that these antibodies may interact within the heart and brain and present the first step in antiphospholid syndrome pathology.
Outcomes of colon resection in patients with metastatic colon cancer

Abstract Background Patients with advanced colorectal cancer have a high incidence of postoperative complications. We sought to identify outcomes of patients who underwent resection for colon cancer by cancer stage. Methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to evaluate all patients who underwent colon resection with a diagnosis of colon cancer from 2012 to 2014. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate patient outcomes by cancer stage. Results A total of 7,786 colon cancer patients who underwent colon resection were identified. Of these, 10.8% had metastasis at the time of operation. Patients with metastatic disease had significantly increased risks of perioperative morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.44, P = .01) and mortality (AOR: 3.72, P = .01). Patients with metastatic disease were significantly younger (AOR: .99, P P P Conclusions Overall, 10.8% of patients undergoing colectomy for colon cancer have metastatic disease. Postoperative morbidity and mortality are significantly higher than in patients with localized disease.
Protein kinase C in ATP regulation of lung surfactant secretion in type II cells.

Previous studies provided indirect evidence for a role for protein kinase C (PKC) in ATP stimulation of surfactant secretion. The present study demonstrates that ATP increases PKC activity in the m...
Seismic velocities of halite salt: anisotropy, dispersion, temperature and stress effects

Summary We have made various laboratory measurements on halite salt. Most of the effects of crystal defects and inter-crystal cracks on P-wave velocity can be removed after high pressure annealing. The temperature effect on seismic velocities of halite salt is dominant relative to the stress effect. We did not observe azimuthally anisotropy on the halite salt sample. We analyzed that the directional velocity variations are not indication systematic anisotropy, instead they are most likely caused by crystal-scale heterogeneity. No significant dispersion of seismic velocities is observed from the low frequency measurement.
Effect of ETC-1002 on Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Hypercholesterolemic Patients Receiving Statin Therapy

ETC-1002 is an oral, once-daily medication that inhibits adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase, an enzyme upstream of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, to reduce cholesterol biosynthesis. ETC-1002 monotherapy has demonstrated significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared with placebo in phase 2 studies. The objective of this study was to compare the lipid-lowering efficacy of ETC-1002 versus placebo when added to ongoing statin therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia. This phase 2b, multicenter, double-blind trial ( NCT02072161 ) randomized 134 hypercholesterolemic patients (LDL-C, 115 to 220 mg/dl) on stable background statin therapy to 12 weeks of add-on treatment with ETC-1002 120 mg, ETC-1002 180 mg, or placebo. The primary efficacy end point was the percent change in calculated LDL-C from baseline to week 12. For LDL-C, the least-squares mean percent change ± standard error from baseline to week 12 was significantly greater with ETC-1002 120 mg (−17 ± 4%, p = 0.0055) and ETC-1002 180 mg (−24 ± 4%, p
The Concept,Characteristics and Model of Knowledge-intensive Services

Based on the literature review of relative papers on the concept of KIS,starting with analyzing the concepts of "knowledge" and "service",this paper presented a generalized conceptual definition for KIS,and more analyzed the characteristics and main serving modes of KIS under the knowledge-based economy background.The study in this paper elicited the relative basic concepts,unified the cognition for continues research work and established basic theory and conception,all of which supplied a new visual angle and thoughts for theory research and practice development of KIS.
Patient Perceptions of Oseltamivir for the Treatment of Influenza

Objectives Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is advertised for the treatment of influenza types A and B. Patient perceptions of its efficacy have not been adequately studied. Recent systematic reviews have called the benefits of this drug into question relative to the cost and adverse effect profile. We hypothesized that most people would be unaware of the efficacy, cost, or adverse effect profile of the drug. Our objective was to determine patient perceptions of efficacy, cost, and adverse effect profile of oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza. Methods This was a cross-sectional, multiple-choice, open-response survey of adult patients and adult caregivers of pediatric patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with flu-like symptoms. Flu-like symptoms were defined as any respiratory symptom plus fever or body aches. The study took place during the 2014-2015 flu season at a rural ED. We analyzed the data, with descriptive statistics reported as frequencies/percentages for categorical data. Survey data collected as Likert scale data were summarized using mean, median, and mode. Results During the 4-month period, 70 surveys were completed. A total of 67% of the participants were women, with 84% younger than 40 years. Subjects younger than 40 years were more likely to have seen advertising for oseltamivir (31% vs 0%, P = 0.04). Less than half reported having received the flu vaccine that year. Most reported that oseltamivir was an effective treatment for the flu. Most overstated the perceived efficacy of oseltamivir. Most were not willing to take the medication if it had adverse effects, with the most deterring adverse effects being potential kidney and liver injury. Conclusions In our study most patients reported overly positive expectations for the efficacy of oseltamivir for treating influenza. Most reported that commonly listed adverse effects would deter their use of the medication.
Application of the principal parameters method to the 1983 Coalinga, California, aftershock sequence

abstract A new technique, called the method of the principal parameters (Ebblin and Michelini, in press), to infer the orientations of active fault planes of an aftershock sequence has been applied to the sequence that followed the Coalinga, California, earthquake of 2 May 1983 ( M L = 6.7). The method is based on observed clustering in time and space. Clustering is a characteristic feature of aftershock sequences, and it suggests interdependence of the events. It follows that the spatial locations of time-successive foci may provide additional information about the geometries of the rupturing fault system. The method involves sliding of a temporal window of a fixed number of foci along the sequence and estimating the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a spatial matrix for each window-set. This matrix can be interpreted as an ellipsoid which is fitted through the foci. During the earthquake sequence, the different trends of the seismicity pattern can be isolated by selecting and averaging the greatly flattened ellipsoids. In the case of the Coalinga sequence, the trends are generally consistent with one of the focal planes obtained from the fault-plane solutions given in earlier published studies. The method appears to offer a simple way to infer average active fault geometries in complex areas from hypocentral locations only.
Notes on the Absolute Time-Constituting Flow of Consciousness

Husserl’s phenomenology of time-consciousness is an effort to understand conscious life in its identity with temporal awareness. Central to this understanding is what Husserl called the “absolute time-constituting flow of consciousness.” This essay intends to serve as a partial primer for the flow and to discuss some of the difficult and perplexing questions that surround it. It begins by collecting evidence that Husserl distinguished three levels involved in time-consciousness: first, an ultimate or primal level, the absolute flow; second, the level of immanent temporal unities or experiences, such as acts, which the flow constitutes; and third, the level of transcendent objects in world time constituted by the acts. The essay then examines the connections among the levels, as well as the structure of the absolute flow that enables it to constitute both itself and immanent temporal experiences. This is followed by consideration of a series of issues concerning the flow, many of which arise from Husserl’s sometimes paradoxical statements about it. Among these: whether and in what sense the flow can be said to have a temporal character; the difficulties in finding a vocabulary suitable for describing the flow; whether the consciousness belonging to the flow is intentional in character and how it differs from the objectivating consciousness of acts such as perception; the sense in which the flow and what it constitutes are distinct but inseparable, and whether Husserl introduces needless complexity into consciousness by distinguishing between the absolute flow and the stream of experiences it constitutes in immanent time. The essay concludes with some reflections on the absolute flow as the living present or nunc stans, formulations that capture the constant and centering role of the flow in our conscious lives.
Primary care visit preparation and communication for patients with poorly controlled diabetes: A qualitative study of patients and physicians.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine how patients with diabetes and their primary care physicians identify and discuss visit priorities prior to and during visits. Methods We conducted a qualitative study involving patients with diabetes (4 focus groups, n = 29) and primary care physicians (6 provider practice meeting discussions, n = 67). Results Four key themes related to prioritization were identified: 1) the value of identifying visit priorities before the visit; 2) challenges to negotiating priorities during the time-limited visit; 3) the importance of “non-medical” priorities; and 4) the need for strategies to help patients prepare for visits. Both patients and physicians felt that identifying a concise list of key priorities in advance of the visit could help establish collaborative visit agendas and treatment plans. Conclusions Identifying and communicating mutually agreed upon priorities for discussion is a key challenge for time-limited primary care visits. Practice implications Communication between primary care physicians and their patients with diabetes could be improved by strategies that help patients identify their top visit priorities before the visit.
307. Hitting the Kidney from All Angles: Using Direct Intrarenal Pelvis Injection Combined with Serotype and Promoter Targeting to Achieve Renal AAV Gene Delivery

Using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy to treat renal diseases is an underdeveloped area. Renal anatomy and physiology make gene delivery to this organ especially difficult. Multiple AAV serotypes and routes of entry in rodents have been tried, with the majority of combinations targeting the renal tubules. To improve upon the current methods of AAV renal transduction for future use in the clinical setting, we employed direct intrarenal pelvis injections of AAV2, 6, 8 and 9 with the luciferase (Luc) or GFP transgene under the control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) or putative kidney-specific promoters from myo-inositol oxygenase(MIOX), acyl-CoA synthetase medium-chain family member 2 (Acsm2), uromodulin (UMOD), kidney androgen-regulated protein (Kap) and solute carrier family 34 (sodium phosphate), member 1 (Slc34a1) mouse genes in C57Bl/6J mice. Renal luciferase transgene expression was strongest with AAV6, 8 and 9-CMV-Luc. AAV6 and 8-CMV-Luc resulted in stronger expression in the injected kidney, whereas AAV9-CMV-Luc showed equal, bilateral renal expression. AAV9 with the UMOD promoter gave the strongest and most highly renal-specific luciferase expression among all serotype and kidney promoter combinations. Using the GFP transgene we further established AAV transduction of multiple cell types in the kidney. AAV8-CMV-GFP transduced both glomerular and tubular renal cells, while AAV9-CMV-GFP most strikingly transduced periglomerular tubule cells. Both AAV8 and AAV9-UMOD-GFP solely transduced renal tubule cells. We are currently testing AAV variants isolated from clinical urine samples to determine their ability to transduce renal cells in vivo. Our results demonstrate efficient renal transduction by direct intrarenal pelvis injection of AAV vectors. Coupling specific renal cell tropisms of AAV serotypes and renal cell-type-specific promoters, along with the intrarenal pelvis injection strategy would pave the way for a renal-targeted AV gene therapy.
Abstract 760: On the evolution of erlotinib-resistant NSCLC subpopulations

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA One of the foremost challenges to cancer treatment is the emergence of drug resistance. Adding complexity to this problem is the recent realization that drug resistance can stem from selection for both intrinsically resistant subpopulations as well as subpopulations that adapt to the drug challenge through epigenetic and/or signaling state changes. Because of this complexity, cells have many ways to survive in response to targeted inhibitors, resulting in a diversity of resistance states between and even within patient tumors. Ongoing strategies are aimed at finding the best second-line therapies for resistant tumors. However, the extent to which drug-resistant subpopulations exhibit similar or divergent sensitivities to second-line treatments is unknown. How different are drug-resistant subpopulations from one another? Do these differences affect the types of inhibitors that will be effective in killing these drug-resistant colonies, resulting in a variety of strategies for managing drug-resistant populations? What are the molecular changes that correspond to differences in secondary drug response? Here, we aim to determine the degree of heterogeneity between drug-resistant clonal populations by profiling their response to a panel of second-line therapies and examining mutational states to secondary drug response. This study will provide insight into whether or not drug-resistant subpopulations adopt similar or disparate drug-resistant states. Citation Format: Michael E. Ramirez, Robert J. Steininger, Lani F. Wu, Steven J. Altschuler. On the evolution of erlotinib-resistant NSCLC subpopulations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 760. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-760
Postoperative Management of Routine Esophageal Atresia Cases

Postoperative care is a critical element in the transition from disease to health for patients with esophageal atresia. Despite significant variation across institutions, there are certain universal principles in the care. This chapter will review the details of management for these patients at all stages of recovery with specific focus on respiratory care, feeding, and screening for postoperative complications.
Existence of weak solutions to refraction problems in Negative Refractive Index Materials

Abstract We prove existence of weak solutions to certain refraction problems in the setting of materials with negative refractive index, both in the near and far field. Solutions are obtained when the target measure is discrete, as well as when it is given by a general Radon measure. The far field problem is treated using techniques from optimal mass transport. As such a fully nonlinear PDE of Monge–Ampere type arises in this setting, and we calculate the coefficients explicitly. Finally, we produce an example in which the A3w condition holds but the A3s condition does not.
Political gender inequality and infant mortality in the United States, 1990–2012

Although gender inequality has been recognized as a crucial factor influencing population health in the developing world, research has not yet thoroughly documented the role it may play in shaping U.S. infant mortality rates (IMRs). This study uses administrative data with fixed-effects and random-effects models to (1) investigate the relationship between political gender inequality in state legislatures and state infant mortality rates in the United States from 1990 to 2012, and (2) project the population level costs associated with women's underrepresentation in 2012. Results indicate that higher percentages of women in state legislatures are associated with reduced IMRs, both between states and within-states over time. According to model predictions, if women were at parity with men in state legislatures, the expected number of infant deaths in the U.S. in 2012 would have been lower by approximately 14.6% (3,478 infant deaths). These findings underscore the importance of women's political representation for population health.
Expansion of Myeloid Immune Suppressor Cells in Tumor-bearing Host Directly Promotes Tumor Angiogenesis, Tumor Growth, and Metastasis

PL02-02 Myeloid immune suppressor cells (MISCs), of myeloid macrophage/dendritic cell lineage, are significantly over-produced in the bone marrow and spleens of tumor-bearing mice as well as in peripheral blood of cancer patients. Interestingly, VEGF, the potent angiogenic factor and produced in most solid tumors, induces MISC production in vivo. In mice they express CD11b, a marker for myeloid cells of the macrophage lineage, and a marker for granulocytes, Gr-1. MISCs have been demonstrated to be immune suppressive since the 1980s. In this report, we demonstrate a novel tumor-promoting role of myeloid immune suppressor cells. These cells constitute 5% of total cells in solid tumors. Tumor cells coinjected with MISCs exhibited increased vascularization and decreased necrosis, as well as enhanced tumor growth. These immune cells produce high levels of MMP9. Deletion of MMP9 in these cells completely abolishes their tumor-promoting ability. MISCs were also found to directly incorporate into tumor endothelium. Consistent with this observation, MISCs acquire endothelial cell properties in tumor microenvironment and proangiogenic culture conditions. Furthermore, MISCs promote tumor metastasis through enhanced invasion. MISCs infiltrate into the invasive front with enhanced production and function of MMPs. Mice with 4T1 tumors co-injected with MISCs had significantly higher recurrent tumors at the injection site following surgical removal. 4T1 cells co-cultured with MISCs showed significantly increased invasion in vitro. Treatment with an MMP inhibitor significantly attenuated this process, suggesting a strong role of MISCs in tumor cell invasion through MMPs. In summary, MISCs are over-produced in tumor-bearing hosts, they can be re-programmed in multiple ways to promote tumor progression including angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. Cellular and molecular targeting of MISC production should not only improve host immunosurveillance but also inhibit tumor metastasis, having the effect of “killing two birds with one stone.”
Genital and Infectious Emergencies

The management of acute genitourinary tract infections has dramatically changed because of advances in diagnostic testing and antibiotic availability. In the past, the ability to recognize and treat lower urinary tract and genital infections required diagnostic acumen, mostly based on physical findings. Now, sophisticated molecular and radiological tests facilitate the recognition of acute prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymo-orchitis. These entities usually involve common pathogenic organisms and high-risk patient populations. However, each disease entity has a distinct pathology, necessitating individual evaluation and management. This chapter is limited in scope to the acute bacterial infections of the prostate, urethra, and male reproductive organs.
Cylindrical topology of SCMR wireless power transfer system

In this paper, a new topology of Strongly Coupled Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) system is proposed. The efficiency versus azimuth rotation is examined. The misalignment comparison between conformal SCMR and the proposed topology is shown. The results are both validated by simulation and measurement. This new topology is proven to be misalignment insensitive throughout 360° azimuth rotation. Also, an improvement upon the new topology is discussed.
In-Group Favoritism, Out-Group Animosity, and Joint Conflict: The Role of Ambivalence in Response to Joint Sponsorships: An Abstract

Marketers often attempt to influence consumer attitudes by sponsoring properties for which their target consumers have an affinity. Building on the premises of balance theory (Heider, 1958), there is a liking transfer where the positive feelings toward the sponsored property carry over to the sponsoring brand. Research findings have also confirmed fans’ tendency to show an out-group negative bias through unfavorable responses to sponsors of rival teams (Bee & Dalakas, 2015; Bergkvist, 2012; Dalakas & Levin, 2005; Grohs et al., 2015). When only the favorite or only the rival team is involved in a sponsorship, it is easy for the consumer to respond to that sponsorship. The positive feelings toward the favorite team generate positive feelings toward the sponsor whereas the negative feelings toward a rival team lead to negative feelings toward their sponsor. However, when a sponsor partners with both teams, it creates a more challenging situation for the consumer. This study builds on the existing research and extends it by also assessing response to sponsorship of both a favored and a rival team. Moreover, we examine how ambivalence may influence consumer response to the different partnerships (in-group, out-group, or both). Data were collected from 162 students affiliated with a NCAA Division-1 institution known for its long-standing rivalry with another university in the state. Conducted in an online lab setting, participants were told that they would be viewing and evaluating prototype advertising. They were randomly directed to the one of the three ads containing the manipulation and then responded to an online questionnaire. Each ad featured the same generic color image, word, and image placement and the same fictitious energy bar brand. Team logos (favored, rival, or both logos) and the following statement were used to manipulate team affiliation: “Proud partner of the team (favored or rival) or teams (favored and rival).” A key finding of this study was that for responses to sole sponsorships it was only consumer identification that mattered leading to positive responses to sponsor of favored team and negative responses to sponsor of rival team. However, ambivalence was the best predictor of responses to joint sponsorships. Therefore, the results suggest consumer ambivalence can play an important role on how sponsorship information is processed and how attitudes are developed.
Electromigration mechanism on interconnected Cu pillar in flip chip package

This paper describes an EM (electromigration) mechanism on interconnected Cu pillar in flip chip package. It will be clarified that the EM life depends on Cu pillar interconnection structure. Recently, it was reported that the EM life was deteriorated by applying ENEPIG (electroless Ni-P/Pd/Au) plating layers on a substrate pad used for solder connection [1]. It was because Ni diffusion into solder lead to connection failure forming Ni3P layer. In this study, we found that an optimized structure was realized by applying no Ni barrier on the Cu pillar. Diffusion of CuSn IMCs (Inter Metallic Compounds) from Cu pillar accumulated onto Ni-P layer of substrate pad and they blocked Ni atom diffusion. It improved EM life about 2 times longer than that of Cu pillar with Ni barrier. Kirkendall voids were slightly formed on an interface between Cu pillar and solder after 500 hours at 175 deg C, however, shear strength was stable and any crack on the interface was not observed.
Rhinitis and Structurally Related Problems

Structural abnormalities of the nasal passage are important causes of rhinitis and should be considered in patients with chronic or progressively worsening nasal or paranasal sinus symptoms. While most other etiologies of rhinitis, such as from allergy or acute infection, cause bilateral symptoms, structurally related problems can present unilaterally or bilaterally, depending on the site of the physical irregularity. Structural abnormalities can be grouped into static anatomic abnormalities and space-occupying lesions. Common anatomic abnormalities include deviated nasal septum, nasal septal perforation, turbinate hypertrophy, and atrophic rhinitis. Space-occupying lesions include benign and malignant tumors, granulomatous diseases, nasal polyposis, and adenoidal hypertrophy. Diagnosis of structural causes of rhinitis can be made through direct visualization, utilizing imaging and tissue biopsies when necessary to confirm diagnoses. Treatment of structural causes of rhinitis includes medical interventions specific to the underlying disease, but usually requires surgical correction of the structural issue to restore normal nasal function.
Age at Time of Craniosynostosis Repair Predicts Increased Complication Rate.

Objective:This study uses administrative data to assess the optimal timing for surgical repair of craniosynostosis and to identify factors associated with risk of perioperative complications.Design:Statistical analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database (2006, 2009, 2012).Setting:KID-participating hospitals in 44 states. Patients: Children 0 to 3 years of age with ICD-9 codes for surgical correction of craniosynostosis (756 and 0124, 0125, 0201, 0203, 0204, or 0206).Main Outcome Measure:Age-based cohorts were assessed for perioperative complications. We performed a multivariable analysis to determine characteristics associated with increased risk of complications.Results:21 million admissions were screened and 8417 visits met criteria for inclusion. Seventy-five percent of procedures occurred before age 1. Complications occurred in 8.6% of patients: 6.6% of patients at age 0 to 6 months, 10.3% of patients aged 7 to 12 months, and 13.9% of patients 12 to 36 months. Pati...
Development and preliminary evaluation of a patient portal messaging for research recruitment service

Introduction We developed a service to identify potential study participants through electronic medical records and deliver study invitations through patient portals. Methods The service was piloted in a cohort study that used multiple recruitment methods. Results Patient portal messages were sent to 1303 individuals and the enrollment rate was 10% (n=127). The patient portal enrollment rate was significantly higher than email and post mail (4%) strategies. Conclusion Patient portal messaging was an effective recruitment strategy.
Designing effective user interfaces for crowdsourcing: an exploratory study

We investigate characteristics of the technology platform for different types of crowdsourcing initatives, as characterized by their task type--specifically we classify crowdsourcing applications by task structure, task interdependence, and task commitment. The method employed is to examine best practices of well-known crowdsourcing applications, investigating their user interface features, and characteristics that make them successful examples of crowdsourcing. Among the best practices uncovered were the following: easy searching for information; adaptive user interfaces that learned from the crowd; easy-to-use mobile interfaces; the ability to vote ideas up or down; credentialing; and creating sticky user interfaces that engaged the user. Finally, we consider issues for further study and investigation.
Increasing the Racial and Ethnic Diversity of the U.S. Teaching Force

Diversity is a fact of life in the United States, as evident in the student population served by the nation’s public schools. Already, students of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds account for a full one-third of elementary and secondary enrollments (National Center for Education Statistic [NCES], 1993), and it is projected that by the year 2000 nearly 40% of all school-aged youths will be of color (Hodgkinson, 1986).1 The composition of the teaching force, however, does not mirror the demographic profile of the student body. At present, racial and ethnic minorities account for approximately 13% of the teaching force (NCES, 1993). Unless active measures are taken to attract more people of color into teaching, their representation could drop to a meager 5% by the end of the century (Darling-Hammond, 1990; Smith, 1992). This striking discontinuity between the cultural backgrounds of teachers and their students has come to be seen by some as a matter with serious social and educational implications for the nation and its schools (Carnegie Forum on Education and the Economy, 1986; Hidalgo & Huling-Austin, 1993; Mercer & Mercer, 1986; Smith, 1989).
An interaction-based approach to computational epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of patterns of health in a population and the factors that contribute to these patterns. Computational Epidemiology is the development and use of computer models to understand the spatio-temporal diffusion of disease through populations. An important factor that greatly influences an outbreak of an infectious disease is the structure of the interaction network across which it spreads. Aggregate or collective computational epidemiology models that have been studied in the literature for over a century, often assume that a population is partitioned into a few subpopulations (e.g. by age) with a regular interaction structure within and between subpopulations. Although useful for obtaining analytical expressions for a number of interesting parameters such as the numbers of sick, infected and recovered individuals in a population, it does not capture the complexity of human interactions that serves as a mechanism for disease transmission. In other words, the aggregate approach does not take the structure of underlying social network into account. Additionally, the number of different subpopulation types considered is small and parameters such as mixing rate and reproductive number are either unknown or hard to observe. Here we describe Simdemics: an interaction-based multiagent approach to support epidemic planning for large urban regions. Simdemics is an example of a disaggregated modeling approach in which interactions between every pair of individuals is represented. It is based on the idea that a better understanding of the characteristics of the social contact network can give better insights into disease dynamics and intervention strategies for epidemic planning. Simdemics details the demographic and geographic distributions of disease and provides decision makers with information about (1) the consequences of a biological attack or natural outbreak, (2) the resulting demand for health services, and (3) the feasibility and effectiveness of response options. A unique feature of Simdemics is the size and scale of urban regions that can be analyzed using it.
Iron Transport Machinery of Human Cells: Players and Their Interactions

Organisms, like cells, maintain tight control of iron. In humans as well as other mammals, control is achieved through the regulation of iron uptake into the body rather than through the excretion of iron. The mechanisms by which humans and mice regulate both iron uptake and the distribution of iron within the body and cells are reviewed. Special emphasis is given to the iron transporters involved in this process.
An Application of Adaptive Feedforward Control to Robotics

Abstract We present an algorithm enabling a robot that is repeating the same trajectory to reduce its trajectory following error on repetition of the motion. The algorithm details how to use the trajectory following error (the time history of the differences between the desired trajectory and the actually executed trajectory) after any particular movement to update an actuator feedforward command that is used for the subsequent attempt. This approach to robot learning is based on explicit modeling of the robot; and uses an inverse of the robot model as the learning operator which processes the trajectory errors. Results are presented from a successful implementation of this procedure on the MIT Serial Link Direct Drive Arm. The major point of this paper is that more accurate robot models improve trajectory learning performance, and learning algorithms do not reduce the need for good models in robot control.
Danny O. Jacobs, MD, MPH.

JNMA is featuring a serieson African Americans holding endowed chairs in American medical schools in recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of these very special people. These chairs are usually funded from generous benefactors and may include grateful patients or parents ofpatients (children), executives from the business world and industry, foundations, anonymous donors and even faculty members. The common denominator amongst these philanthropists is to recognize the institution for the opportunities afforded them in some way as a way of “giving back” to insure that the school can continue to recruit the most talented individuals to the institution. Some states also provide matching funds for successful endowment campaigns being sponsored by their universities and, under some circumstances, federal matching funds may be made available for this purpose. We have more than a dozen endowed chairs amongst our HBCUmedical institutions, which will also be included in this series
Trinucleotide Repeats, Genetic Instability and Variation in the Human Genome

Trinucleotide repeats have been implicated in the genesis of over a dozen human diseases. These repeats are normally polymorphic in human populations. However, disease manifests when the repeat arrays become longer than a certain threshold. The expanded repeats are meiotically unstable. Recently, two other trinucleotide repeat loci have been reported with very large and unstable alleles in the general population without being associated with any known disease. These findings imply that the process of instability is not exclusively a disease-associated phenomenon. In this chapter, we discuss some of the population genetic properties of these loci, with a general emphasis on questions relating to maintenance of the expanded alleles in human populations.
Improving resident self-efficacy in pediatric palliative care through clinical simulation.

CONTEXT Pediatric residents have limited training and practice experience with palliative care. This study examined whether clinical simulation improved resident self-efficacy in pediatric palliative care. METHODS Residents were surveyed on their self-efficacy and how they perceived the importance of pediatric palliative care; they were then randomized into either a control group or an intervention group. The intervention group participated in two simulated pediatric palliative care scenarios. The residents' responses before and after the intervention were analyzed to determine whether simulation training had influenced their responses. RESULTS Although there were no differences in responses on the importance of pediatric palliative care, respondents were more comfortable with suggesting that conferences are needed with families of children who have life-limiting conditions in order to explain do-not-resuscitate orders. CONCLUSION Simulation improved pediatric residents' self-efficacy with end-of-life discussions.
Cardiac Anatomy and Pathophysiology of Coronary Circulation as a Basis for Imaging

Cardiovascular disease is responsible for ~ 33% of all deaths in the USA (Heart Facts 2012) [1]. Approximately 28% (83 million people) of the US population has one or more forms of acquired heart or blood-vessel disease. Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) is present in 64 million adults, coronary artery disease in 16.3 million (9 million with angina or chest pain of cardiac origin), congestive heart failure (HF) in ~ 5.7 million, and stroke in 7 million. In 2008, coronary artery disease (CAD) caused ~405,000 deaths in the United States, making it the number one killer. About 1.2 million people will suffer a new or recurrent heart attack each year. In addition to CAD, HF (inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the demands of the body) is becoming more prevalent.
Global, Satellite-Driven Estimates of Heterotrophic Respiration

Abstract. While heterotrophic respiration ( Rh ) makes up about a quarter of gross global terrestrial carbon fluxes, it remains among the least-observed carbon fluxes, particularly outside the midlatitudes. In situ measurements collected in the Soil Respiration Database (SRDB) number only a few hundred worldwide. Similarly, only a single data-driven wall-to-wall estimate of annual average heterotrophic respiration exists, based on bottom-up upscaling of SRDB measurements using an assumed functional form to account for climate variability. In this study, we exploit recent advances in remote sensing of terrestrial carbon fluxes to estimate global variations in heterotrophic respiration in a top-down fashion at monthly temporal resolution and 4 ∘ × 5 ∘ spatial resolution. We combine net ecosystem productivity estimates from atmospheric inversions of the NASA Carbon Monitoring System-Flux (CMS-Flux) with an optimally scaled gross primary productivity dataset based on satellite-observed solar-induced fluorescence variations to estimate total ecosystem respiration as a residual of the terrestrial carbon balance. The ecosystem respiration is then separated into autotrophic and heterotrophic components based on a spatially varying carbon use efficiency retrieved in a model–data fusion framework (the CARbon DAta MOdel fraMework, CARDAMOM). The resulting dataset is independent of any assumptions about how heterotrophic respiration responds to climate or substrate variations. It estimates an annual average global average heterotrophic respiration flux of 43.6±19.3 Pg C yr −1 . Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses showed that the top-down Rh are more sensitive to the choice of input gross primary productivity (GPP) and net ecosystem productivity (NEP) datasets than to the assumption of a static carbon use efficiency (CUE) value, with the possible exception of the wet tropics. These top-down estimates are compared to bottom-up estimates of annual heterotrophic respiration, using new uncertainty estimates that partially account for sampling and model errors. Top-down heterotrophic respiration estimates are higher than those from bottom-up upscaling everywhere except at high latitudes and are 30 % greater overall (43.6 Pg C yr −1 vs. 33.4 Pg C yr −1 ). The uncertainty ranges of both methods are comparable, except poleward of 45 ∘ N, where bottom-up uncertainties are greater. The ratio of top-down heterotrophic to total ecosystem respiration varies seasonally by as much as 0.6 depending on season and climate, illustrating the importance of studying the drivers of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration separately, and thus the importance of data-driven estimates of Rh such as those estimated here.
Being and Time: On the Nature and the Evolution of Institutions

The process that drove the early evolution of hominid culture was an arms race that led to selection for 'big brains,' higher consciousness, and language. Culture was a constraining force on this arms race. 'Big brains,' higher consciousness and language paved the way for the evolution of theory of mind and lower rates of time preference, two keys to the development of complex culture. Culture is a shared mental construct, a form of shared social intentionality with a deeply abstract and symbolic nature. Our symbolic ability enabled the development of this public good, which included such mental constructs as promises, obligations, contracts, marriages, property, money, agency, and government. Cultural institutions change the way we think because they both reduce the cost of cognition and become a substitute for cognition by forming a framework for social habits and routines and that allows for specialization in cognition over space and time; in a fundamental and often unrecognized way, they reduce transactions costs. Perception—including social perception—is an ill-posed problem. Culture provides background assumptions and constraints which allow us to solve this problem and thereby reduce transactions costs.
How Radiologists Can Benefit From Direct Communication With Patients

Abstract Effective communication is foundational to Radiology. Historically, radiologists have been considered “doctors’ doctors,” communicating primarily with referring physicians and other radiologists. Aside from interventional radiology and breast imaging, direct communication between radiologists and patients has typically been limited. In recent years, major radiology professional societies have launched initiatives aimed toward increasing direct radiologist and patient communication. These include the American College of Radiology's Imaging 3.0 and Radiological Society of North America's Radiology Cares initiatives. Prior work has highlighted potential patient benefits of increased communication by demonstrating patient preferences for speaking with imaging experts about the results of their imaging studies and introducing strategies to harness existing information technology resources to achieve this goal. In this review, we explore the unique benefits that radiologists can derive from communicating with patients in regular and meaningful ways.