cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust control for linear systems with structured state space uncertainty

Abstract A recent sufficient condition for the stability robustness of linear systems with time-varying norm bounded state space uncertainty is extended to include the structure of the uncertainty. Our new result requires that the nominal eigenvalues lie to the left of a vertical line in the complex plane which is determined by a norm involving the structure of the uncertainty and the nominal closed-loop eigenvector matrix. Therefore, this robustness result is especially well suited to the design of control systems using eigenstructure assignment. When the uncertainty is time-invariant, our norm is also an upper bound on the incremental eigenvalue perturbations. We also consider the use of Perron weightings to reduce conservatism and the extension of the results to discrete time systems.
T Cell-Independent Somatic Hypermutation in Murine B Cells with an Immature Phenotype

Abstract Somatic hypermutation contributes to the generation of antibody diversity and is strongly associated with the maturation of antigen-specific immune responses. We asked whether somatic hypermutation also plays a role in the generation of the murine immunoglobulin repertoire during B cell development. To facilitate identification of somatic mutations, we examined mouse systems in which only antibodies expressing λ1, λ2, and λx light chains can be generated. Somatic mutations were found in cells, which, by surface markers, RAG expression, and rapid turnover, had the phenotype of immature B cells. In addition, expression of AID was detected in these cells. The mutations were limited to V regions and were localized in known hotspots. Mutation frequency was not diminished in the absence of T cells. Our results support the idea that somatic hypermutation can occur in murine immature B cells and may represent a mechanism for enlarging the V gene repertoire.
Three-Dimensional Solutions for the Thermal Buckling and Sensitivity Derivatives of Temperature-Sensitive Multilayered Angle-Ply Plates

Analytic three-dimensional thermoelasticity solutions are presented for the thermal buckling of multilayered angle-ply composite plates with temperature-dependent thermoelastic properties. Both the critical temperatures and the sensitivity derivatives are computed. The sensitivity derivatives measure the sensitivity of the buckling response to variations in the different lamination and material parameters of the plate. The plates are assumed to have rectangular geometry and an antisymmetric lamination with respect to the middle plane. The temperature is assumed to be independent of the surface coordinates, but has an arbitrary symmetric variation through the thickness of the plate. The prebuckling deformations are accounted for. Numerical results are presented, for plates subjected to uniform temperature increase, showing the effects of temperature-dependent material properties on the prebuckling stresses, critical temperatures, and their sensitivity derivatives.
The large lake ecosystems of northern Canada

Abstract The Great Lakes of northern Canada are relatively understudied ecosystems in comparison to the better-investigated Laurentian Great Lakes. This chain of lakes extends north from Lake Winnipeg (a shallow prairie lake) to Wollaston Lake and Lake Athabasca (moderately deep arboreal lakes) to Great Slave Lake (a deep subarctic lake) to Great Bear Lake (a deep lake located in the Arctic Circle). Many of these lakes have experienced minor localized anthropogenic impacts. Impacts include mining and fishing in the north and agricultural and urban impacts in the south. While most of these lakes are located in the relatively undeveloped regions of Canada, the northward migration of natural resource-based industries such as forestry, mining, agriculture and oil and gas operations may potentially affect their ecosystem health. Research programs are required to better understand the natural features of these ecosystems to further protect them from anthropogenically driven change. Long-term monitoring programs...
Photoelectrochemical conversion of hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen using artificial light and solar radiation

Abstract The CdS catalysed photoelectrochemical conversion of hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen was studied using a halogen lamp and sunlight as the illumination source. The process was optimized with respect to ruthenium dioxide loading, CdS concentration, and sulfide and sulfite ion concentrations. Solution volumes of 30 and 500 ml were investigated. The highest production rate from the 30 ml vessel was 12.9 of H 2 ml in 4 h, employing 5.0 mg/ml −1 CdS (0.25% RuO 2 ) and using the halogen lamp. On scaling-up to a 500 ml vessel, the highest production rate was 113.0 ml of H 2 in 4 h using solar radiation and 2.0 mg/ml −1 CdS (0.25% RuO 2 ).
Classification of motor imagery by means of cortical current density estimation and Von Neumann entropy

The goal of the present study is to employ the source imaging methods such as cortical current density estimation for the classification of left- and right-hand motor imagery tasks, which may be used for brain-computer interface (BCI) applications. The scalp recorded EEG was first preprocessed by surface Laplacian filtering, time-frequency filtering, noise normalization and independent component analysis. Then the cortical imaging technique was used to solve the EEG inverse problem. Cortical current density distributions of left and right trials were classified from each other by exploiting the concept of Von Neumann entropy. The proposed method was tested on three human subjects (180 trials each) and a maximum accuracy of 91.5% and an average accuracy of 88% were obtained. The present results confirm the hypothesis that source analysis methods may improve accuracy for classification of motor imagery tasks. The present promising results using source analysis for classification of motor imagery enhances our ability of performing source analysis from single trial EEG data recorded on the scalp, and may have applications to improved BCI systems.
Clinical evaluations of an amplitude-based binning algorithm for 4DCT reconstruction in radiation therapy.

Purpose: Phase-binning algorithms are commonly utilized in 4DCT image reconstruction for characterization of tumor or organ shape and respiration motion, but breathing irregularities occurring during 4DCT acquisition can cause considerable image distortions. Recently, amplitude-binning algorithms have been evaluated as a potential improvement to phase-binning algorithms for 4DCT image reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the first commercially available on-line retrospective amplitude-binning algorithm for comparison to the traditional phase-binning algorithm. Methods: Both phantom and clinical data were used for evaluation. A phantom of known geometry was mounted on a 4D motion platform programmed with seven respiratory waves (two computer generated and five patient trajectories) and scanned with a Philips Brilliance Big bore 16-slice CT simulator. 4DCT images were reconstructed using commercial amplitude- and phase-binning algorithms. Image quality of the amplitude- and phase-binned image sets was compared by evaluation of shape and volume distortions in reconstructed images. Clinical evaluations were performed on 64 4DCT patient image sets in a blinded review process. The amplitude- and phase-binned 4DCT maximum intensity projection (MIP) images were further evaluated for 28 stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) cases of total 64 cases. A preliminary investigation of the effects of respiratory amplitude and pattern irregularities on motion artifact severity was conducted. Results: The phantom experiments illustrated that, as expected, maximum inhalation occurred at the 0% amplitude and maximum exhalation occurred at the 50% amplitude of the amplitude-binned 4DCT image sets. The phantom shape distortions were more severe in the images reconstructed from the phase-binning algorithm. In the clinical study, compared to the phase-binning algorithm, the amplitude-binning algorithm yielded fewer or less severe motion artifacts in 37.5% of the cases (24/64), comparable artifacts in 54.7% of the cases (35/64), and slightly greater artifacts in 7.8% of the cases (5/64). Evaluation of SBRT cases demonstrated that the reconstructed tumor sizes and locations were comparable in 96% (1/28) of the MIP image pairs generated from both amplitude- and phase-binning algorithms. In this case the amplitude-binned image set rendered a smaller tumor size, which was likely due to very shallow respiratory amplitudes occurring over several breathing cycles. Conclusions: Overall, the amplitude-binning algorithm for 4DCT reconstruction reduced the severity of tumor distortion and image artifacts compared to the phase-binning algorithm. However, the full range of motion may not be characterized using amplitude-binning algorithms. Despite superior performance, amplitude binning can still be susceptible to motion artifacts caused by large variations in amplitude of respiratory waves.
The active site of porcine-pancreatic alpha-amylase: Factors contributing to catalysis

Abstract Quantitative studies reveal that the alpha-amylase-catalyzed cleavage of the α- d -(1→4) bonds in starch proceeds with retention of configuration. The pH dependence of the enzymic activity, and of photo-oxidation in the presence and absence of chloride, and a spectrophotometric titration of the enzyme, implicate a carboxylate anion and an imidazolium cation as the catalytic residues of pancreatic alpha-amylase. Since the same groups are probably involved in the action of other alpha-amylases and even beta-amylase, which gives inversion of configuration during hydrolysis, it seems possible that both types of enzyme operate by a common mechanism. A reaction mechanism involving general acid-catalysis by imidazole, and ring distortion to produce an oxycarbonium-ion intermediate, is proposed. The carboxyl group may participate either as a general base or by electrostatic solvation of the intermediate, but a role as a nucleophile is not definitely excluded.
SUBSTORM RELATED CHANGES IN THE GEOMAGNETIC TAIL: THE GROWTH PHASE.

The details of two substorms of August 15, 1968, are discussed, and the sequence of events occurring during a magnetospheric substorm is established. Special attention is given to the substorm effects on the geometry of the near tail region and, particularly, to the growth and expansion phases.
Determination of cellular rate distributions in microbial cell populations: feeding rates of ciliated protozoa.

A novel procedure is proposed for determining distributions of rate properties and correlations of rate with state properties of microbial cell populations. The procedure is novel in that it uses transient data, and thus, it does not require that the population be in balanced growth, although it requires that the population structure does not change during the short transient experiment. The procedure is applied to populations of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena to determine ingestion rate variability. The number of ingested microspheres per cell and the single-cell protein content-an indicator of cell size-were directly determined with dual-color flow cytometry. The proposed technique revealed the correlation pattern of the particle ingestion rate with cell size. In particular, ingestion rate was found to be positively correlated with cell size for the smaller feeding cells and to be uncorrelated with size for the larger cells. Using the fact that particle uptake from dilute particle suspensions is a Poisson random process, we determined that the coefficient of variation of the distribution of ingestion rates within the feeding population is about 50%. It was concluded that the dynamics of particle ingestion can be accurately described only if it is realized that particle ingestion rates are distributed.
Use of Cholecystokinin-Octapeptide for the Prevention of Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Cholestasis

Objective. To determine whether cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-OP) would prevent or ameliorate parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) among high-risk neonates treated with total parenteral nutrition. Study Design. This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial conducted between 1996 and 2001. Patients. Neonates at risk for the development of PNAC included very low birth weight neonates and those with major surgical conditions involving the gastrointestinal tract. Setting. Tertiary care hospitals. Intervention. Patients were randomized to receive CCK-OP (0.04 μg/kg per dose, twice daily) or placebo. Eligible infants were all <30 days of age. Patients were enrolled within 2 weeks after birth or within 7 days after surgery. Outcome Measures. The primary outcome measure was conjugated bilirubin (CB) levels, which were measured weekly. Secondary outcome measures included incidence of sepsis, times to achieve 50% and 100% of energy intake through the enteral route, number of ICU and hospital days, mortality rate, and incidences of biliary sludge and cholelithiasis. Results. A total of 243 neonates were enrolled in the study. CCK-OP administration did not significantly affect CB levels (1.76 ± 3.14 and 1.93 ± 3.31 mg/dL for CCK-OP and placebo groups, respectively; mean ± SD). Secondary outcome measures also were not significantly affected by the study drug. Conclusions. Use of CCK-OP failed to reduce significantly the incidence of PNAC or levels of CB. CCK-OP had no effect on other secondary measures and should not be recommended for the prevention of PNAC.
The intrinsic severity hypothesis of pharmacoresistance to antiepileptic drugs

Pharmacoresistance to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is a barrier to seizure freedom for many persons with epilepsy. For nearly two decades, pharmacoresistance has been framed in terms of factors affecting the access of AEDs to their molecular targets in the brain or the actions of the drugs on these targets. Shortcomings in this prevailing view led to the formulation of the intrinsic severity hypothesis of pharmacoresistance to AEDs, which is based on the recognition that there are neurobiologic factors that confer phenotypic variation among individuals with etiologically similar forms of epilepsy and postulates that more severe epilepsy is more difficult to treat with AEDs. In recent years, progress has been made identifying potential genetic mechanisms of variation in epilepsy severity, including subclinical mutations in ion channels that increase or reduce epilepsy severity in mice. Efforts are underway to identify clinically important genetic modifiers. If it can be demonstrated that such severity factors play a role in pharmacoresistance, treatments could be devised to reverse severity mechanisms. By overcoming pharmacoresistance, this new approach to epilepsy therapy may allow drug refractory patients to achieve seizure freedom without side effects.
Establishment of cleavage furrows by the mitotic spindle.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the capacity for furrow establishment of the mitotic spindle in several kinds of dividing animal cells. To this end the cell shape was altered so that equatorial surface was brought in contact with the spindle and its normal geometrical relation with the asters changed. In flattened Tripneustes gratilla eggs, furrows formed at the tips of deeply cut notches that impinged upon the spindle area. In Echinarachnius parma eggs, furrows formed at the tips of deeply cut notches and also at the margins of perforations that straddled the spindle. The distance separating the perforations was less than the normal spindle diameter. In flattened, dividing cultured newt (Diemictylus viridescens) kidney cells furrows formed in equatorial surface that was pushed inward far enough to displace the metaphase chromosomes. These results appear to indicate that the mitotic spindle of animal cells can establish furrows. We speculate that the actual role played by the spindle in normal cytokinesis depends upon the relative sizes of the asters and the spindle and upon the normal distance between the spindle and the equatorial surface.
Grammaticality of Preschoolers in Narratives: Considering the Influences of Bilingualism and Daycare Participation: A Retrospective and Exploratory Study

Purpose: The current retrospective and exploratory study aimed to identify the role of language experience for monolingual and bilingual preschool age children who did and did not attend daycare on...
Design optimization for robustness to single-event upsets

An optimization algorithm for the design of combinational circuits that are robust to single-event upsets (SEUs) is described. A simple, highly accurate model for the SEU robustness of a logic gate is developed. This model is integrated with area and performance constraints into an optimization framework based on geometric programming for design space exploration. Simulation results demonstrate the design tradeoffs that can be achieved with this approach.
Simulation study of a class of autonomous host-centric mobility prediction algorithms for wireless cellular and ad hoc networks

We propose and analyze a class of autonomous host-centric mobility prediction algorithms via simulation for predicting future movements of mobile hosts based on recent and past movement histories observed. These mobility prediction algorithms are 'autonomous' and 'host-centric' since they require individual mobile hosts, rather than fixed base stations, to collect and maintain mobility prediction data, thus making them applicable to both cellular and ad hoc wireless networks. Each mobile host under these autonomous host-centric mobility prediction algorithms is capable of predicting the probability that it will leave the current location to the next location within a time period, thus facilitating resource reservation and route maintenance decisions, as well as for estimating the mobile host's residence time. We describe a simulation environment for evaluating the prediction accuracy for this probability metric by these algorithms, and present the evaluation results with physical interpretations and their applicability given.
THE RELAX CODES FOR LINEAR MINIMUM COST NETWORK FLOW PROBLEMS

We describe a relaxation algorithm [1,2] for solving the classical minimum cost network flow problem. Our implementation is compared with mature state-of-the-art primal simplex and primal-dual codes and is found to be several times faster on all types of randomly generated network flow problems. Furthermore, the speed-up factor increases with problem dimension. The codes, called RELAX-II and RELAXT-II, have a facility for efficient reoptimization and sensitivity analysis, and are in the public domain.
Biomimetic approaches to modulating the T cell immune response with nano- and micro- particles

Modulating immune responses to pathogen invasion and even tumors is a major goal in immunotherapy. T cells play a central role in these responses. Progress towards that goal is accomplished by stimulating the antigen-specific T cell immune response in vivo through active immunization, or by re-transfer of large numbers of T cells expanded outside the body in a process called adoptive immunotherapy. In both vaccination and adoptive cellular therapy, there is a critical need for a reliable and effective antigen-presentation strategy that stimulates T cells in a specific and efficient manner. Biodegradable nanoparticles can be engineered with bacterial lipopolysaccharides coating thus priming dendritic cells for improved immunization. Alternatively, micron-sized particles can be made to approximate the natural ability of dendritic cells in stimulating T cells by surface modification with the appropriate T cell antigens. Here we show how both of these approaches can be employed to produce safe and effective vaccine and cellular therapeutics.
Neural circuitry for communication and jamming avoidance in gymnotiform electric fish.

Over the past decade, research on the neural basis of communication and jamming avoidance in gymnotiform electric fish has concentrated on comparative studies of the premotor control of these behaviors, on the sensory processing of communication signals and on their control through the endocrine system, and tackled the question of the degree to which these behaviors share neural elements in the sensory-motor command chain by which they are controlled. From this wealth of investigations, we learned, first, how several segregated premotor pathways controlling a single central pattern generator, the medullary pacemaker nucleus, can provide a large repertoire of behaviorally relevant motor patterns. The results suggest that even small evolutionary modifications in the premotor circuitry can yield extensive changes in the behavioral output. Second, we have gained some insight into the concerted action of the brainstem, the diencephalon and the long-neglected forebrain in sensory processing and premotor control of communication behavior. Finally, these studies shed some light on the behavioral significance of multiple sensory brain maps in the electrosensory lateral line lobe that long have been a mystery. From these latter findings, it is tempting to interpret the information processing in the electrosensory system as a first step in the evolution towards the ‘distributed hierarchical’ organization commonly realized in sensory systems of higher vertebrates.
Computational design of swarms

In this work, a method for the rapid computational design and simulation of multiparticle swarms is developed. Specifically, a non-convex optimization strategy is constructed, based on genetic algorithms, to design desired swarm-like behaviour. To allow rapid evaluation of various swarm design performances, a temporally-adaptive iterative scheme is developed to determine the positions, velocities and accelerations of members of the swarm. The overall purpose of such an approach is to facilitate rapid decision making for the dynamics of large numbers of interacting objects, whose goal is to reach a target guarded by obstacles in a minimum amount of time. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Macrophage-Induced Neutrophil Apoptosis

Macrophages (Mφ) contribute to the resolution of early inflammation by recognizing and ingesting apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). In addition, experiments reported here demonstrated that Mφ can actively induce PMN apoptosis. Coculture of cells from 2- or 5-day-old wounds in rats, or of Mφ purified from such preparations, with PMN-rich wound cell populations obtained 1 day after wounding increased PMN apoptosis by >3-fold. Neither resident- nor Proprionibacterium acnes-elicited peritoneal Mφ-induced PMN apoptosis. Apoptosis was not mediated by a soluble factor and required E:T contact. Fixed wound-Mφ and membrane isolates from viable Mφ were as effective as intact cells in inducing PMN apoptosis. Mφ-induced apoptosis was inhibited by peptide Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser, anti-β3 (CD61) Ab, CD36 peptide, or anti-TNF-α Ab. Soluble TNF-α did not induce PMN apoptosis. In additional studies, K562 cells (negative for β3, TNF-α, and Fas ligand) transfected to express either αvβ3 integrin, an uncleavable membrane form of TNF-α, or both were used in cocultures with wound PMN. Only the double transfectants were able to induce PMN apoptosis, an effect inhibited by anti-β3 (CD61) or anti-TNF-α Abs. These results demonstrate that wound Mφ induce PMN apoptosis through a constitutive effector mechanism requiring both intercellular binding through integrin-ligand interactions and membrane-bound TNF-α.
ORAI1 and STIM1 deficiency in human and mice: roles of store‐operated Ca2+ entry in the immune system and beyond

Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is a mechanism used by many cells types including lymphocytes and other immune cells to increase intracellular Ca2+ concentrations to initiate signal transduction. Activation of immunoreceptors such as the T-cell receptor, B-cell receptor, or Fc receptors results in the release of Ca2+ ions from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ stores and subsequent activation of plasma membrane Ca2+ channels such as the well-characterized Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel. Two genes have been identified that are essential for SOCE: ORAI1 as the pore-forming subunit of the CRAC channel in the plasma membrane and stromal interaction molecule-1 (STIM1) sensing the ER Ca2+ concentration and activating ORAI1-CRAC channels. Intense efforts in the past several years have focused on understanding the molecular mechanism of SOCE and the role it plays for cell functions in vitro and in vivo. A number of transgenic mouse models have been generated to investigate the role of ORAI1 and STIM1 in immunity. In addition, mutations in ORAI1 and STIM1 identified in immunodeficient patients provide valuable insight into the role of both genes and SOCE. This review focuses on the role of ORAI1 and STIM1 in vivo, discussing the phenotypes of ORAI1- and STIM1-deficient human patients and mice.
Changes in urine volume accomplished by physicians treating nephrolithiasis.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We quantified the changes in urine volume and sodium accomplished in various practice settings and the consequent effects on calcium oxalate supersaturation.Materials and Methods: We determined comprehensive urine stone risk factors in 2,877 patients treated in 14 practices, including a university referral center and private sector practices. Changes in urine volume and stone risk factors were measured.Results: In a wide range of practice settings the volume increase was about 0.3 l. daily. Urine sodium excretion increased with volume for unexplained reasons, as did urine calcium excretion. As expected, thiazide lowered calcium excretion but the effect progressively decreased as urine volume increased. Therefore, urine calcium and calcium oxalate supersaturation changes were the result of opposing forces. The net effect was a decrease partly offset by sodium and calcium excretion increases.Conclusions: Urine volume increments are modest in practice and they are modestly offset by increase...
Thermal tuning of Kerr frequency combs in silicon nitride microring resonators

Microresonator based Kerr frequency comb generation has many attractive features, including ultrabroad spectra, chip-level integration, and low power consumption. Achieving precise tuning control over the comb frequencies will be important for a number of practical applications, but has been little explored for microresonator combs. In this paper, we characterize the thermal tuning of a coherent Kerr frequency comb generated from an on-chip silicon nitride microring. When the microring temperature is changed by ~70 °C with an integrated microheater, the line spacing and center frequency of the comb are tuned respectively by −253 MHz (−3.57 MHz/°C) and by −175 GHz (−2.63 GHz/°C); the latter constitutes 75% of the comb line spacing. From these results we obtain a shift of 25 GHz (362.07 MHz/°C) in the comb carrier-envelope offset frequency. Numerical simulations are performed by taking into account the thermo-optic effects in the waveguide core and cladding. The temperature variation of the comb line spacing predicted from simulations is close to that observed in experiments. The time-dependent thermal response of the microheater based tuning scheme is characterized; time constants of 30.9 μs and 0.71ms are observed.
Zinc Binding Peptides from Rat Brain

A family of acidic, zinc-binding peptides has been isolated and partially purified from the syanptosomal membrane fraction of rat brain. These peptides are composed predominantly of ASP and GLU residues and as such, represent potential “storage peptides” for transmitter aspartate and glutamate at excitatory amino acid synaptses.
Does Minority Representation in Police Agencies Reduce Assaults on the Police

Following recent high-profile deaths of unarmed African American suspects at the hands of police, a number of reforms have been proposed, among them improved minority representation in the ranks of law enforcement organizations. Previous research has explored the effects of minority representation on complaints against the police and other behaviors, but very few studies have examined violence toward the police. We merged several data sources together and tested the hypothesis that minority representation within police departments is inversely associated with assaults against the police. In an extension of prior research, we also conducted separate analyses for African American, Hispanic, and Asian officer representation. The results did not support the expectation that diversity within police organizations results in improved police-citizen interactions, as measured by assaults on police. This study is one of the few to examine how different measures of minority representation in police agencies relates to assaults on the police.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The Design of Optimal Rate-Rest Profiles:

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a major cause of lost time in hand intensive industries. Typical remedies include the introduction of job aids and the redesign of the job. An alternative remedy is considered here. Specifically, a mathematical model is developed which can be used to determine the parameters of a job (e.g., the rate of work and the number and duration of the rest breaks) which minimize post-threshold cumulative trauma and maximize productivity. It is shown that in many circumstances the job parameters can be set so that one can achieve both a decrease in post-threshold cumulative trauma and an increase in productivity. It is theorized that the decrease in post-threshold cumulative trauma will lead to fewer incidents of carpal tunnel syndrome. The application of the model to an actual manufacturing job requiring high repetitive, high force hand motions is discussed.
Price Image versus Price Reality

Price perception validity varies widely among communities. The use of service offerings and quality levels as cues for price perceptions may cause misperception. This study develops a method for me...
An attempt to recover WEE from nasal mites of sparrows.

Summary and conclusion1. Twenty days after 44 English sparrows were each inoculated with 140 chick LD50 amount of WEE virus, the collected nasal mites were devoid of virus using Chamberlain's “wet” chick method of isolation. 2. Nasal mites of the English sparrow are probably not important vectors or reservoirs of Western encephalitis virus.
Analysis of k-Nearest Neighbor Distances with Application to Entropy Estimation.

Estimating entropy and mutual information consistently is important for many machine learning applications. The Kozachenko-Leonenko (KL) estimator (Kozachenko & Leonenko, 1987) is a widely used nonparametric estimator for the entropy of multivariate continuous random variables, as well as the basis of the mutual information estimator of Kraskov et al. (2004), perhaps the most widely used estimator of mutual information in this setting. Despite the practical importance of these estimators, major theoretical questions regarding their finite-sample behavior remain open. This paper proves finite-sample bounds on the bias and variance of the KL estimator, showing that it achieves the minimax convergence rate for certain classes of smooth functions. In proving these bounds, we analyze finite-sample behavior of k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) distance statistics (on which the KL estimator is based). We derive concentration inequalities for k-NN distances and a general expectation bound for statistics of k-NN distances, which may be useful for other analyses of k-NN methods.
Analysis of the clinical and X-ray features of the enema unreduced intussusception in children

Objective To improve the knowledge about the difficulty of reduction by air enema or therisk of perforation.Method Over the past 10 years,there were 766 cases of intussusception confirmedby air pressure enema.Among these,697 cases were successfully reduced by air enema.69 unreduced caseswere cured by operation.The main features of clinical,radiologic and operative were reviewedretrospectively.Results The most significant features of intussusception complicated with necroticbowel or enema unreduced intussusception were ①symptoms appeared more than 24 hours.②Blood stoolappeared early, more frequent and massive of more windy.③A big leaf-shaped invaginated head with weakmotility on pressure.Conclusion Air pressure enema is the best methods in diagnose and treatintussusception, complex intussuscepton are difficult to reduce and those patients ought to beoperation on time.
Development and implementation of a pharmacy technician training program

A nine-month on-the-job training program for hospital pharmacy technicians is described. The first three months of the program are devoted to didactic training and the remaining six months to acquiring practical experience. Candidates for the program are provided through state-sponsored public assistance or manpower training programs. A minimum of six individuals are needed to begin a program to ensure that during at least three complete it. Forth technicians have completed the program during the past six years, and eight are currently employed by the hospital. Thirteen others are known to be employed at other institutions or in health-related occupations.
Extreme temperature packaging: challenges and opportunities

Consumer electronics account for the majority of electronics manufactured today. Given the temperature limits of humans, consumer electronics are typically rated for operation from -40°C to +85°C. Military applications extend the range to -65°C to +125°C while underhood automotive electronics may see +150°C. With the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), the goal of instrumenting (sensing, computation, transmission) to improve safety and performance in high temperature environments such as geothermal wells, nuclear reactors, combustion chambers, industrial processes, etc. requires sensors, electronics and packaging compatible with these environments. Advances in wide bandgap semiconductors (SiC and GaN) allow the fabrication of high temperature compatible sensors and electronics. Integration and packaging of these devices is required for implementation into actual applications. The basic elements of packaging are die attach, electrical interconnection and the package or housing. Consumer electronics typically use conductive adhesives or low melting point solders for die attach, wire bonds or low melting solder for electrical interconnection and epoxy for the package. These materials melt or decompose in high temperature environments. This paper examines materials and processes for high temperature packaging including liquid transient phase and sintered nanoparticle die attach, high melting point wires for wire bonding and metal and ceramic packages. The limitations of currently available solutions will also be discussed.
Transient Global Amnesia, Epilepsy, and Migraine: Diagnostic Comparisons and Distinctions

Transient global amnesia, epilepsy, and migraine are three common neurologic disorders likely to be encountered by military physicians. These three entities share many clinical, electroencephalographic, and pathophysiologic characteristics. We report a patient who exemplifies the indistinct boundaries among these conditions and whose response to treatment supports the use of anticonvulsants for selected patients who have recalcitrant migraine.
Computerized Tomography in the Diagnosis of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis

AbstractWe evaluated 4 patients with surgically proved retroperitoneal fibrosis by computerized tomography and ultrasound. Retroperitoneal fibrosis was diagnosed correctly in all 4 patients by computerized tomography but was detected by ultrasound in only 1. On computerized tomography, retroperitoneal fibrosis demonstrated a characteristic soft tissue mass enveloping the abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava and ureters. Computerized tomography was capable of detecting the abnormality with greater reliability than ultrasound, and was far superior in delineating the extent of the process and its relation to adjacent abdominal structures. Computerized tomography is the method of choice in the preoperative evaluation of retroperitoneal fibrosis. It also is anticipated that computerized tomography will prove equally useful in the postoperative followup of this disease.
Chronic Duodenal and Gastric Ulcer

During the past two decades, major advances have been made in our understanding of basic gastric physiology. Appreciation of cellular biology has contributed to rapid progress in gastric pharmacology. Clinicians may choose from a large and rapidly growing list of antiulcer drugs. The proper choice of medical or surgical therapy depends on knowledge of the pathophysiology of peptic ulceration and of the inherent limitations of each approach. Selective drug use, tailoring of medical regimens to individual clinical situations, and the combination of medical and surgical treatments will play prominent roles in the future management of peptic ulceration.
Estrogen Metabolism: Does the Formation of Estrogen Quinone Provide a Potential Pathway to Breast Carcinogenesis?

Estrogen has long been implicated in the initiation of carcinogenesis in estrogen-sensitive tissues through receptor-mediated events (Girder and Brotherick, 2000). However recent studies indicate that estrogens may cause DNA damage directly and independent of receptor-mediated mechanisms through the oxidation products of estrogen metabolism. The major pathway for estrogen metabolism proceeds by two steps: First the aromatic hydroxylation of the primary estrogens to form 2- and 4-hydroxycatechol estrogens. Under normal conditions these catechols rapidly undergo O-methylation, catalyzed by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). The evidence for the rapid O-methylation is several fold. While virtually all catechols are substrates for COMT the highest affinities for the enzyme are exhibited by the catechol estrogens (Ball and Knuppen, 1985). Further the O-methylated products are the major urinary estrogen metabolites. Importantly, the efficiency of the O-methylation pathway is reflected in the extremely short half-life of catechol estrogens (Lipsett et. al. 1983).
Shear layer flame stabilization sensitivities in a swirling flow

A variety of different flame configurations and heat release distributions exist in high swirl, annular flows, due to the existence of inner and outer shear layers as well a vortex breakdown bubble...
Molecular Cloning and Preliminary Characterization of a recA Gene from the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7002

The recA gene product of E. coli is a protein of 37,842 daltons which is involved in performing and regulating several cellular functions. These include homologous recombination; resistance to UV- and X-irradiation and other DNA-damaging agents; and a proteolytic function which cleaves the LexA repressor and results in the expression of the SOS response (1). RecA-like proteins, or RecA-like activities, have now been reported in several other species of gram-negative bacteria, including Salmonella thyphimurium, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella flexneri, Rhizobium meliloti, Erwinia carotovora, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Rhodobacter capsulatus, and Vibrio cholerae (see ref. 2 and references therein). RecA-like proteins or activities have also been characterized in the gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis (3) Streptococcus faecalis (2). In most cases which have been examined in detail, the recA protein has been shown to be immunologically related to the E. coli homologue (2, 3, 4). Reports concerning DNA sequence homology have been much more variable (2, 4).
Inner Conflicts From a Resident Medicolegal Consulting Case.

Barely had I received my PGY2 in-service exam score when an attorney wrote me offering to pay for my supposed “medical expertise.” Having come across one of my FOAM blog write-ups, he asked if I would consult with him on that topic for his client's medico-legal case against the defendant emergency physician. My natural response was to inform the attorney that I was only a resident. However, it seems that is precisely why he sought my insight. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Melanoma antigen-A11 regulates substrate-specificity of Skp2-mediated protein degradation

Melanoma antigen-A11 (MAGE-A11) is a proto-oncogene involved in androgen receptor signaling and androgen-dependent cell growth. In this report we provide evidence that MAGE-A11 interacts with Skp2 (S phase kinase-associated protein), the substrate recognition protein of the Skp1-Cullin1-F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase, and with Skp2 binding protein, cyclin A. A similar cyclin A binding motif in MAGE-A11 and Skp2 was consistent with a competitive relationship between MAGE-A11 and Skp2 in binding cyclin A. Skp2 inhibited MAGE-A11 interaction with cyclin A. Differential effects of MAGE-A11 on Skp2-mediated protein degradation were also revealed. MAGE-A11 increased Skp2-mediated degradation of cyclin A and retinoblastoma-related protein p130. In contrast, MAGE-A11 decreased Skp2-mediated degradation of E2F1 and Skp2 self-ubiquitination. Stabilization of E2F1 by MAGE-A11 was associated with sequestration and inactivation of Skp2 through the formation of an E2F1-MAGE-A11-Skp2 complex. We conclude that direct interactions of MAGE-A11 with Skp2 and cyclin A regulate the substrate-specificity of Skp2-mediated protein degradation.
Ultrasound image-guided robotic breast biopsy

Objective: To assess performance of dedicated volume breast ultrasound imaging (VBUS) system integrated with a compact robotic biopsy device to provide precision image-guided breast lesion biopsy. Methods: We integrated our VBUS system with a compact robotic device having a 6-DOF articulated arm to reach any breast location. A load sensor measured force and torque to provide real-time data regarding biopsy device insertion and penetration forces. Ultrasound volume image data provided 3-dimensional lesion coordinates. Targeting and guidance algorithms optimized the path for insertion of a Mammotome™ vacuum biopsy device. System performance was evaluated by scanning breast test objects having simulated lesions and a cubic grid of sample locations. We measured targeting error and reproducibility. Results: VBUS volume data were acquired in 20 sec/slice and showed ∼1 mm spatial resolution with lesions clearly identified. Targeting accuracy was within ±1 mm over the robotic workspace. Reproducibility was excellent. Force feedback data showed good sensitivity to needle forces. Discussion and Conclusions: Ultrasound volume data assisted robotic targeting and guidance algorithms for physician control. Robotic devices may provide more precise device placement assisting physicians with biopsy procedures. This work demonstrates the potential to translate the capabilities of two rapidly developing areas of medicine: volumetric imaging and robotic devices into a fully-functional clinical volume image-guided, physician-directed robotic breast biopsy system.
Quantum antenna and metasurface based on two level systems (Conference Presentation)

We show that quantum antenna and metasurface can be realized by a cluster of quantum two level systems such as atoms or quantum dots. They offer a new way to dynamically control non-classical light with sophisticated functionalities.
Transitions in U.S. Higher Education: implications for geography learning

AbstractIn the United States, higher education institutions and structures governing higher education are going through dramatic change. The implications of new technology and changing modes of course structure, and evolving federal and state policies have the potential for significant impact on higher education. The historic federal mandates regarding university systems, including land-grants, and renewal of the U.S. Higher Education Act, for example, have impacts related to higher education regulations, performance expectations, accreditation, and student success. In addition, there are new research questions related to student learning. Several of the key themes impacting higher education also have implications and expectations for university geography programs. Geographers and geography programs in many universities are contributing toward addressing these changes in ways that contribute toward programs and universities that are more committed to new learning paradigms, as well as curricula that enhan...
Imaging and Pathology Correlations for Different Risk Stratification Models for Intermediate-risk Prostate Cancer.

Background/Aim: We evaluated whether sub-stratifying intermediate-risk (IR) prostate cancer using the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer (MSKCC) or Prostate Cancer Risk Stratification (ProCaRS) model predicts for adverse imaging or pathologic features. Patients and Methods: 56 consecutive IR patients who underwent multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) and radical prostatectomy (RP) were studied. The different groups were tested for correlation with adverse findings. 2-sample T-tests assuming unequal variance were used. Results: On mpMRI the MSKCC unfavorable group had higher index lesion suspicion scores (p=0.044), while the ProCaRS model showed a higher maximum tumor diameter (MTD) in the high-risk group (p=0.047). At RP, a higher pathologic MTD (23.3 vs. 17.6 mm, p=0.005) was present in the MSKCC unfavorable group as well as the ProCaRS high vs. low group (26.6 vs. 19.3 mm, p=0.022). Conclusion: Both models demonstrated a correlation with higher MTD for unfavorable IR patients. This is likely a driver of worse clinical outcomes.
Community-Driven Alternatives to Education in the Neoliberal Context of Burkina Faso

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), education is viewed as a sine qua non for African economic advancement and social well-being. The conundrum, yet, is: “What kind of education should be provided? What policies should govern its provision? What means are available for its finance?” (Court & Kinyanjui, 1986, p. 361). These questions among others swirling around education in SSA raise the nagging issue of the relevance, the quantity and even more to the point, the quality of education, given the pervasive neoliberal development in African countries.
Studying Central Americans in Latino studies

This brief reflection traces my experiences in doing work on immigration at the intersection of Latino Studies and the discipline of Sociology. My reflections capture the challenges and rewards of focusing my entire career on the study of Central American migration and the significant contributions I am able to make to a broader scholarship from this specific location.
Kinetic orbital moments and nonlocal transport in disordered metals with nontrivial band geometry

We study the effects of spatial dispersion in disordered noncentrosymmetric metals. Specifically, we consider the kinetic magnetoelectric effect, and natural optical activity of metals, as well as the so-called dynamic chiral magnetic effect as a particular case of the latter. These effects stem from the magnetic moments of quasiparticles near the Fermi surface. We identify new disorder-induced contributions to these magnetic moments that come from the skew-scattering and side-jump processes, familiar from the theory of anomalous Hall effect. We show that at low frequencies the spatial dispersion of the conductivity tensor comes mainly either from the skew scattering or intrinsic contribution, and there is always a region of frequencies in which the intrinsic mechanism dominates. Our results imply that in clean three-dimensional metals, current-induced magnetization is in general determined by impurity skew scattering, rather than intrinsic contributions. Intrinsic effects are expected to dominate in cubic enantiomorphic crystals with point groups $T$ and $O$, and in polycrystalline samples, regardless of their mobility.